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The historic title won by John Crimber in the world’s top bull riding league moved rodeo fans, crowned a family journey marked by overcoming challenges, and placed the young Texan among the greatest names of the new generation in the sport.
At 20 years old, John Crimber has definitively entered the history of world rodeo by winning the 2026 Professional Bull Riders (PBR) title, considered the top bull riding competition on the planet. The achievement took place this Sunday, May 17, in front of a completely packed Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, United States.
According to information released by the official broadcast of Paramount+, the young man secured the championship after a dominant performance on Championship Sunday of the elite Unleash The Beast (UTB), the main circuit of the sport. Son of former Brazilian rider Paulo Crimber, a legend of international arenas, John experienced a night of intense pressure, family emotion, and million-dollar reward.
The victory quickly resonated on social media and among sports fans, especially because the athlete managed to overcome a setback suffered the previous weekend at the traditional Cowtown Coliseum, also in Texas.
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The decisive ride that placed John Crimber in PBR history
The final stretch of the competition required maximum concentration. This was because John Crimber entered the arena under pressure to defend the championship lead in the eighth round of the event.
Demonstrating technical control and uncommon maturity for his age, the Texan achieved an impressive score of 91.35 points riding the bull What’s Poppin. The performance secured a spot in the grand finale and heightened the expectations of the audience present in the arena.
In the decisive round, John returned even more confident. Riding the bull Tigger, the young man scored 92.90 points, one of the highest scores of the season, definitively consolidating the achievement of the much-desired PBR gold buckle.
The scene moved the audience and quickly went viral on digital platforms focused on the country and sports universe. After all, besides the title, the victory represented the culmination of a story built within the arenas since childhood.
During an interview with the official Paramount+ broadcast, Crimber revealed that the dream was born when he was still a child.
“This is what I’ve dreamed of since I was a child, when I played in the living room pretending to be a rodeo rider. This is what we live for – to become world champions and the best rodeo riders in the world,” stated the champion.
Additionally, the athlete also highlighted the importance of faith in his journey and thanked Jesus Christ for the historic achievement.
Relationship with Brazilian father moves rodeo fans
One of the most emotional moments of the celebration happened when John Crimber dedicated the world title to his father, Paulo Crimber, a former Brazilian competitor who built a prominent career in the United States.
Considered one of the most respected Brazilians in the history of Professional Bull Riders, Paulo had his career prematurely interrupted after severe injuries suffered in the arenas. Still, he remained a technical reference and inspiration for the new generation of the sport.
Emotional, John stated that the achievement also belongs to his father.
“This world title is not just for me. It’s also for my father. He was the one who brought me here and made me who I am. His career was cut short, so this title is for him, not for me,” he declared.
The relationship between the two quickly became a topic on social media, especially among Brazilians passionate about rodeo. Many internet users highlighted the symbolism of the victory and the legacy left by Paulo Crimber within the sport.
Meanwhile, PBR experts pointed out that John represents a new generation of athletes better prepared physically and mentally for the extremely competitive circuit of professional bull riding.
Million-dollar prize impresses and consolidates new sports star
Besides worldwide recognition, the title brought million-dollar figures for John Crimber. As disclosed by Professional Bull Riders, the athlete ended the 2026 season with a success rate of 55.17%, accumulating 32 successful rides in 58 attempts.
The numbers help explain the consistency shown throughout the championship. During the entire season, John led the circuit with eight round wins and two complete event victories.
The performance earned the young man a total of $1,377,907 in prizes just in 2026. The amount includes the $1 million bonus awarded to the PBR world champion — a sum that exceeds R$ 5 million at the current exchange rate.
With the victory, John Crimber also achieved another historic feat: he became only the 13th American cowboy to win the PBR’s main trophy in the competition’s 33-year history.
Industry experts assess that the young man now definitively joins the elite of the world rodeo, in addition to further expanding the Crimber family’s influence within the sport.
Given the international repercussion, the trend is that John’s name will gain even more strength in the coming seasons, especially among sponsors and major country events in the United States.
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