The professional bull riding world has witnessed another historic moment as Jose Vitor Leme clinched his third PBR World Championship title with a flawless performance in the 2025 World Finals. Representing the Austin Gamblers, Leme's victory at the AT&T Stadium was nothing short of stellar, particularly considering his journey back from injury just seven weeks prior.
According to CW33, Leme uttered, "This is a special moment in my life," and he emphasized the role of his determination in his comeback, saying, "God gave me energy to come back and do what I did." His triumph is especially significant as he managed to quickly ascend from a ranking of No. 31 in the world after his comeback, firmly cementing his reputation as one of the sport's greats.
Leme's performance in the World Finals: Unleash The Beast – Championship not only earned him the championship title but also tied him with other legends like Adriano Moraes and Silvano Alves for the most World Championship titles won by one rider. His winnings totaled a substantial $1,632,666.67 and racked up 734 Unleash The Beast points, as per CW33.
In addition to his individual success, Leme's achievements have significantly contributed to the Austin Gamblers' standing. The team, which he was drafted to first overall in 2022, saw yet another highlight as he helped to propel them to their first PBR Camping World Team Series championship in Las Vegas. In a statement obtained by CBS Austin, the team announced that fans can look forward to cheering on their World Champion and the rest of the team during the PBR Gambler Days scheduled for August 22-24 at the Moody Center.
The admiration from fans in Austin is set to grow even more as they prepare to witness the potential of their team at the 2025 PBR Teams New Rider Draft on May 20 at ACL Live at the Moody Theater, with tickets already for sale. The Austin Gamblers, under the direction of PBR greats like Michael Gaffney and Adriano Moraes, continue to demonstrate their prowess in the rough and tumble world of professional bull riding.
