Jose Vitor Leme's Triumphant Comeback at the PBR World Finals

The current Unleash the Beast season has not been one to remember for Jose Vitor Leme. 

Despite battling through injuries, including a broken riding hand that kept him at home for a significant amount of the regular season, Leme is looking like shades of past championship seasons with an impressive 4-for-4 performance in the opening weekend of the PBR World Finals. The two-time World Champion proclaimed, “Everything is possible.” 

“I believe I can do it,” said Leme, who is glad to be healthy for the marquee event. “I believe, I’m still in the game.”

The venerable veteran dominated the headlines and storylines with a perfect performance that moved Leme from barely inside the Top 20 to No. 6 in the world standings. His masterful execution ensured he'd skip the redemption rounds, securing his place in the final stage next weekend. 

Leme leads the Finals average and cut point difference between himself and the No. 1 rider in half with a mere four rounds remaining to determine the 2025 World Champion and winner of the $1 million bonus that comes with claiming the coveted gold buckle. 

Expressing gratitude and focus, Leme said, “I’m so blessed to be here again, fighting for this buckle and I’m so happy to be back fighting for this title. Nothing is over yet … I’m so blessed. I’m so thankful for God to bless me like that.” His journey highlights his talents of pushing boundaries and defying expectations.

Current broadcaster and 2016 World Champion Cooper Davis opined, “Leme is not a guy to play around with whenever he’s on a roll.” His impressive 61 percent career riding success underscores his skill and determination, especially in the opening four rounds. 

He opened the Finals with 85 points on Whiplash, after earning a re-ride option when Dana White’s Playmate fouled him on the way out of the bucking chute, followed by 87.5 points on Flapjack. Then, he recorded a pair of second place rounds with 89.25 on Triple Aught and 91.25 points on Pegasus. 

Leme was one of only two riders to cover all four bulls and for the first time in quite some time, he was serious when he offered, “I just want to keep going.” 

Joining Leme on the list of riders securing a place at AT&T Stadium this coming weekend are a trio of fellow Monster Energy teammates—John Crimber, Kaique Pacheco, and Derek Kolbaba—while Daylon Swearingen and Boudreaux Campbell will return to Cowtown Coliseum on Wednesday and Thursday for a pair of redemption rounds. 

Leme is looking forward to bypassing the additional two rounds. “Nothing changes for me,” Leme said. “I’m still looking to make history. I’m still chasing my dreams, trying to put my name in the history of PBR, break my own records, breaking the records that I don’t have and just whatever God has for me, I will follow Him.”

With an eye on the prize, Leme concluded, “I can’t wait to finish this deal.”