Austin stays unbeaten with victory in Anaheim Professional Bull Riders stop – Daily News
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Bull riding has long been considered one of the most individual sports a person could find, but organizers have found a way to inject a team element.
At the Professional Bull Riders tour stop on Sunday, Aug. 13, at Honda Center, eight teams consisting of five riders each went head to head in four afternoon matchups.
When the dust settled, it was the Austin Gamblers who once again finished on top, only this time they needed overtime to be officially crowned the weekend winner.
Austin and the Oklahoma Freedom were the only two teams that finished 2-0 over the two-day event, so they met up in a winner-take-all finale that was akin to extra innings in baseball.
Jose Vitor Leme of the Austin Gamblers rides the bull Brusta in extra outs to win the event title against the Oklahoma Freedom in the finals of the Professional Bull Riders team event at Honda Center in Anaheim on Sunday, August 13, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A boy reacts as he watches the finals of the Professional Bull Riders team event at Honda Center in Anaheim on Sunday, August 13, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Jose Vitor Leme, center, celebrates with his team, the Austin Gamblers, after winning in extra outs to win the event title against the Oklahoma Freedom at the finals of the Professional Bull Riders team event at Honda Center in Anaheim on Sunday, August 13, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Jose Vitor Leme, left, celebrates of the Austin Gamblers, celebrates after winning in extra outs to win the event title against the Oklahoma Freedom at the finals of the Professional Bull Riders team event at Honda Center in Anaheim on Sunday, August 13, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The competitors enter the ring to start the finals of the Professional Bull Riders team event at Honda Center in Anaheim on Sunday, August 13, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Valerie Torrez of Ontario yells out during the finals of the Professional Bull Riders team event at Honda Center in Anaheim on Sunday, August 13, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Competitors bow their head in prayer during the opening ceremony at the finals of the Professional Bull Riders team event at Honda Center in Anaheim on Sunday, August 13, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A member of the U. S. Boarder Patrol rappel from the celling of the Honda Center during the opening ceremony at the finals of the Professional Bull Riders team event at Honda Center in Anaheim on Sunday, August 13, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Fireworks and flames shout out during the opening ceremony at the finals of the Professional Bull Riders team event at Honda Center in Anaheim on Sunday, August 13, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Cassio Dias of the Kansas City Outlaws does a jump kick after his ride at the finals of the Professional Bull Riders team event at Honda Center in Anaheim on Sunday, August 13, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
People attending the finals of the Professional Bull Riders team event at Honda Center in Anaheim on Sunday, August 13, 2023 hold up their old boots hoping to win a new pair in a boot giveaway. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Leonardo Castro Ferreira of the Kansas City Outlaw celebrates on the center stage after his ride at the finals of the Professional Bull Riders team event at Honda Center in Anaheim on Sunday, August 13, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A U.S. Boarder Patrol safety man rides by during the opening ceremony at the finals of the Professional Bull Riders team event at Honda Center in Anaheim on Sunday, August 13, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Daniel Feitosa of the Carolina Cowboys competes in the finals of the Professional Bull Riders team event at Honda Center in Anaheim on Sunday, August 13, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Alex Cerqueira of the Nashville Stampede team competes at the finals of the Professional Bull Riders team event at Honda Center in Anaheim on Sunday, August 13, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Coaches from both teams chose three of their best riders and a pen of bulls to ride.
The Freedom selected Thiago Salgado as their first rider of the sudden-death overtime, but he was unable to stay on July for the full eight seconds, opening the door for two-time world champion and fellow Brazilian Jose Vitor Leme to win the event if he could stay on Brusta the required time.
Leme did more than hold on, he conquered Brusta so convincingly that he was rewarded with a score of 91, the highest of the day.
“It’s hard to put into words just what this means,” said Leme, who turns 27 on Tuesday. “The whole team is working hard, being disciplined, and I’m so glad to have my teammates supporting me.”
With the wins on Saturday night and Sunday, the Gamblers improved to 7-0 after three stops on the 11-event season, which culminates in October with the team championships in Las Vegas.
“That’s what we’re working for, just winning and staying humble,” Leme said.
The Kansas City Outlaws nearly handed the Gamblers their first loss of the season during the third head-to-head matchup of the event.
Austin needed a successful ride from Austin Richardson in the final frame after he was picked for a re-ride aboard Wicked Warrior. He completed the ride and earned a score of 89.25 to give the Gamblers the win.
The Freedom improved to 2-0 for the weekend with their win against the Nashville Stampede in Game 2.
Alex Cerqueira had the only successful ride in the second game. He was originally disqualified from the ride after it appeared his free hand touched Snake Eyes, but after a review it was determined his hand did not make contact and his score of 84.75 held up as the winner.
The Missouri Thunder dropped the Arizona Ridge Riders to 0-7 on the season with a win in Game 1.
Colten Fritzlan of Arizona completed the first successful ride of the event aboard Brown Bomber, but his score of 83.75 was bettered by Joao Lucas Campos, who became the first rider in 17 attempts to stay aboard Domino for the required time. His score of 84.75 held up as the winner.
The Carolina Cowboys won the fourth matchup of the day, holding off the Texas Rattlers behind successful rides from Josh Frost and Daniel Feitosa.
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