Reigning PBR World Champion Jose Vitor Leme is expected to miss eight weeks with an ankle injury after he was stepped on Saturday during the PBR’s opening weekend in Ocala, Florida.
After suffering the injury, Leme and was seen hobbling off the dirt without putting any pressure on his right leg. He is about 90 percent sure he will not undergo surgery, instead opting to let his ankle heal naturally and spent time with his newborn son.
“I’ve never had surgery before and I don’t want to put metal in my body. I thought it was going to be a good start to the year, but everything happens for a reason,” Leme said. “I will find the good thing of this deal and turn this into a positive. This will keep me home with my son. If I did get surgery, I would be out four weeks and maybe would have to leave my son at home.”
Leme was not the only World Champion who will miss time, Jess Lockwood, the No. 1 man in 2017 and 2019, may have a broken jaw. He will be out at least a week and perhaps much longer if his jaw needs surgery.
Mauricio Moreira won Saturday’s event and the overall event title in Ocala while Junior Patrik Souza won on Sunday.
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