José Vitor Leme, often referred to as “The Machine from Brazil” for his unmatched composure and precision, has become the modern standard of greatness in bull riding. From winning the 2017 PBR World Finals during his first week on U.S. soil to capturing three World Championships — most recently in 2025 — the Brazilian superstar has redefined what dominance looks like in eight seconds.

Leme’s story began in Ribas do Rio Pardo, Brazil, where he climbed on his first calf at age 7, inspired by his father, José Antonio, a former bull rider. Before chasing bulls, Leme chased soccer dreams, playing semi-professionally for more than a decade and earning multiple karate titles along the way. That athletic foundation shaped the balance, footwork, and precision that would later make him nearly unstoppable inside the arena.

After bursting onto the scene in 2017 with a flawless 6-for-6 World Finals performance, Leme’s career became a masterclass in consistency and control. His 2021 campaign remains one of the greatest in PBR history — capped by a record-breaking 98.75-point ride on Woopaa, the highest-marked ride ever recorded. As the closer for the Austin Gamblers, Leme’s ice-cold composure has anchored the franchise through back-to-back PBR Teams MVP seasons (2022, 2023) and a 2024 PBR Teams Championship. In 2025, he posted the highest ride percentage among MVP contenders — 76.47%.

Now based in Decatur, Texas, Leme balances life on the dirt with life at home, where he and his wife Amanda are raising their son Theodoro and awaiting the arrival of their second child. Outside the arena, he keeps bull riding ready by training with CrossFit 3–4 times a week and relaxes by kicking back to a game of FIFA.