Jose Vitor Leme began his Professional Bull Riders career with an event title and PBR Rookie of the Year award at the 2017 PBR World Finals, and this week the Brazilian aims to make history on the sport's brightest stage once again. The 2021 PBR World Finals begin Nov. 3 and will give Leme a chance to become only the second rider to win back-to-back World Championships.
This season's World Finals will reunite Leme with Woopaa, the bull he rode to a career-best mark of 95.75 in last season's event. But while Leme may have a continuity advantage, his health could be a disadvantage. The 25-year-old partially tore his groin during his event-winning, 90.75-point ride at the PBR ZipRecruiter Invitational on Sept. 18, and this is his first competition since.
Leme took his game to another level prior to the injury, setting a PBR regular-season record with 21 90-point rides on the premier series. He doesn't have to perform at that level to win this season's World Finals, though. Riders can earn a maximum of 1,094 points at the event, and Leme owns a 607-point lead over No. 2 rider Kaique Pacheco and a 749-point lead over No. 3 Cooper Davis.
Woopaa has a shot at championship glory along with his rider. The reigning ABBI Classic Champion leads all bulls with an average of 46.94, 0.56 points better than No. 2 Chiseled, and would earn a second consecutive title if he retains that spot after this week's event.
A strong performance in the World Finals could also cement Woopaa's season as the best in PBR history. The bull's season average is .08 points better than Bushwacker, the current record holder for the highest average for a World Champion Bull. Consistent as he is dominant, Woopaa's season low is 45.5 out of 50 and in October he helped Dalton Kasel produce a 96.75 -- the second-best ride in PBR history.
Leme and Woopaa will compete in the 2021 PBR Finals from Wednesday through Sunday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
How to watch
All times eastern
- What: PBR World Finals
- Where: T-Mobile Arena -- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Dates and Channels: Wednesday – Thursday: 10 p.m. - 1 a.m., CBS Sports Network; Friday-Saturday: 11 p.m. - 2 a.m., CBS Sports Network; Sunday: 1-2:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network, 3:00 p.m., CBS
- Stream: CBS Sports Network, Paramount+, fuboTV (try for free)
