ARLINGTON, Texas – On Sunday afternoon in Arlington, Texas, Jose Vitor Leme (Ribas do Rio Pardo, Brazil) completed the greatest comeback in the history of PBR (Professional Bull Riders), winning the World Finals: Unleash The Beast – Championship to be crowned the 2025 World Champion.
“This is a special moment in my life,” Leme said. “I had a chance to step up and do my job. That’s what I came for: ride my bulls, do my part, and let God work on the rest.”
Seven weeks ago, coming back from injury, Leme was No. 31 in the world. He was on a mission since returning, culminating in going a torrid 8-for-8 during bull riding’s crown jewel. He swept both the Eliminations and Championship to surge from No. 18 to No. 1 in the world and capture his record-tying third World Championship. Leme, who rides for the Austin Gamblers in the separate PBR Teams league, erased an 851-point deficit to beat out No. 2 Dalton Kasel (Muleshoe, Texas) by a mere 67.5 points to win the coveted gold buckle.
Despite missing nearly half the season, sidelined for 11 events due to injury, Leme was dominant when in action. The stoic Brazilian concluded the season with a torrid 59.5% riding average, going 22for-37 across 14 events. Leme also set the single- season earnings record in winning more than $2.15 million. He is now the richest Western sports athlete in history, with more than $8.3 million in earnings in PBR competition to date.
“I think everything happens for a reason,” added Leme, who has battled injury since winning his second world title two years ago. “I thought I was done for the season. God gave me energy to come back and do what I did. I’m so proud to be back, be healthy, do my best and win another title. Nothing is impossible, even if you’re down. God will put you in the right way to accomplish your dreams, and this is another dream come true for me.”
Leme’s march to the World Championship began last weekend in Fort Worth, Texas, at Cowtown Coliseum in a statement performance during Eliminations.
Going a perfect 4-for-4, Leme rode Whiplash (Blake Sharp/CB and Traci Lee/Richardson Land & Cattle) for 85 points in Round 1, Flapjack (Parker/OK Corralis/Gordon/D&H Cattle) for 87.5 points in Round 2, Triple Aught (Addi Drury/ Nothin’ But Try/Diggers) for 89.25 points in Round 3, and Pegasus (McCoy Rodeo/ Spencer Neil) for a mammoth 91.25 points in Round 4.
The perfect, eventwinning performance during Eliminations netted Leme 353 Unleash The Beast points, catapulting him from No. 18 to No. 6 in the standings and within 623 points of No. 1 Kasel.
While Kasel was able to retain the No. 1 rank by going 2-for-4 and finishing sixth at the event’s opening stage, Leme was riding in seemingly unstoppable form.
His white-hot momentum continued to roll as the PBR World Finals – Championship got underway Saturday night inside AT&T Stadium.
In Round 1, Leme took on Ugly This (Mc-Coy Rodeo/Spencer Neil) and won Round 1 with an 88.75-point score.
His domination continued in his next out as he won Round 2 by logging the first 90-point ride of the Championship, dominating Oyster Creek Brawler (Farris Cattle/Big Schott Rodeo) for 90.5 points.
Leme’s flawless Saturday brought him a crucial 177 Unleash The Beast points, and he advanced to Championship Sunday No. 4 in the world, 446 points behind No. 1 Kasel.
Kasel, however, couldn’t keep pace, shut out on the opening night of Championship as Leme honed in on the No. 1 rank.
In Round 3, Leme went head-to-head with Lari’s Speck (Lari Crane/Lucky Blue Crab/ Gene Owen). He continued to ride a cut above the rest, again delivering a clutch, round-winning 89.25-point score, good for 88 Unleash The Beast points. Coupled with a buckoff from Kasel, Leme was now No. 3 in the standings and within 358 points of the No. 1 rank.
The World Championship race then came down to the final round, as Leme drafted Walk Hard (Ace Of Spades/ McGuire/Martinez) and Kasel selected Hang ‘em High (Bryan T. Smith/ Doss Cattle).
Leme was first to take to the chutes. He punctuated his perfect performance at the Championship with a monster 91-point ride. That meant Kasel needed to register a score of 91.25 points or more to win his first World Championship.
Bursting from the chutes, Kasel rebounded, covering Hang ‘em High as the crowd erupted in boisterous cheer. However, Kasel was marked just 90.25 points, cementing the World Championship for Leme.
When the dust settled, Leme completed a perfect sweep of the World Finals, winning every round of the Championship. His perfect performance inside AT&T Stadium earned him $1,632,666.67 and 734 Unleash The Beast points, allowing him to complete the comefrom- behind surge. Leme now ties Adriano Moraes (Cachoeira Paulista, Brazil) and Silvano Alves (Pilar do Sul, Brazil) for most World Championship titles won by one rider with three.
He is also now tied with Robson Palermo (Rio Branco Acre, Brazil) for most World Finals event titles won by one rider, also with three. Only four riders in PBR history have won the World Finals multiple times. In addition to Leme and Palermo, Troy Dunn (1995 and 1997), and J.B. Mauney (2009 and 2013) achieved the feat.
Leme is also one of only five riders to have covered all of his bulls en route to winning the PBR World Finals. He has not been bucked off a single bull in each of his three World Finals event wins.
In the PBR’s 32-year history, Leme is one of 22 different riders – and ninth Brazilian – to claim the PBR World Champion gold buckle. His title is the 15th time a rider from Brazil has won what’s been called the most difficult individual championship in professional sports.
Throughout 2025, Leme earned $2,157,388.33, including $1,632,666.67 for his third career PBR World Championship, the most money ever won in a single season in PBR history.
Leme also tied for the prestigious Lane Frost/Brent Thurman Award alongside Brady Fielder (Clermont, Queensland, Australia), presented to the rider(s) who log the high-marked ride of the 2025 PBR World Finals: Unleash The Beast.
