One of the most memorable moments from the latest episode of America’s Got Talent came when Simon Cowell awarded his Golden Buzzer to Rubén Roldán Bustos, a 23-year-old parkour athlete from Spain whose remarkable story and breathtaking performance left both the judges and audience on their feet.
Rubén arrived on the AGT stage with a clear mission: to inspire people and showcase the possibilities of parkour on one of the world’s biggest talent platforms. While he admitted to feeling nervous before his audition, any signs of uncertainty quickly disappeared once his performance began.
In a dramatic opening, Rubén removed his prosthetic leg before launching into an ambitious parkour routine. The act extended beyond the theater stage, taking viewers outside the Pasadena Civic Auditorium as he leaped across obstacles, navigated challenging terrain, and even incorporated a bicycle into his routine. His performance seamlessly blended strength, agility, and precision as he moved through both outdoor and indoor environments.
The routine culminated inside a parkour gym, where Rubén executed a series of flips, jumps, and acrobatic maneuvers. Throughout the performance, he demonstrated exceptional control and confidence, never appearing limited by the physical challenges he has faced.
The emotional impact of the audition grew even stronger after Rubén shared his personal story. He revealed that he lost his leg following a tractor accident during childhood. Rather than allowing that life-changing event to define him, he turned to parkour and dedicated himself to mastering the discipline.
Judge Simon Cowell was visibly impressed by what he had witnessed. Calling the performance “bloody fantastic,” Cowell praised Rubén’s skill, determination, and ability to inspire others before pressing the Golden Buzzer. The moment triggered a shower of gold confetti as the audience erupted into applause, celebrating one of the standout auditions of the season.
Rubén’s appearance on America’s Got Talent is far from his first experience on a major talent-show stage. In 2016, he competed on the inaugural season of Spain’s Got Talent as part of the duo Extreme Parkour alongside Álex Segura. He later continued his television journey by appearing on Germany’s Das Supertalent in 2019.
Beyond television, Rubén has built an impressive reputation within the global parkour community. He holds several Guinness World Records, including records for the most consecutive parkour retour jumps, highest running jump onto a platform, farthest standing parkour dash jump, and highest vertical leap with a running start. These achievements were set within the LA1 impairment category, designated for athletes with a unilateral above-the-knee amputation.
Rubén has often spoken about the profound impact parkour has had on his life. In previous interviews with Guinness World Records, he explained that “parkour saved my life” and helped him realize that “anything is possible.” Those words were reflected in every second of his AGT audition.
With a Golden Buzzer now securing his place in the live shows, Rubén Roldán Bustos has already established himself as one of the most inspiring contestants of Season 21. His performance was not simply a display of athletic ability—it was a powerful reminder of resilience, determination, and the ability to overcome seemingly impossible obstacles.
