The young phenomenon Cássio Dias (São Francisco de Sales-MG) confirmed his status and won the title of the PBR Brazil National Championship on Sunday in the arena of the 65th Cowboy Festival of Barretos. For the title, the 20-year-old athlete also received a bonus of R$ 100,000, as well as a spot to participate in two of the main PBR competitions in the United States; the Challenger Series Final that takes place in November this year in Las Vegas, and the Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour Finals, which takes place in May 2023 in Texas.
“Winning the PBR Brazil championship, especially in the Barretos arena, is the realization of a dream, a night that will be marked in my life,” he told PBR Brazil. “I came to the PBR to win. I focused on this title because my intention was always to go to the United States with this national champion buckle, and everything worked out. Now, my focus is to go there and start writing my name among the greats in history,” added the competitor who had a 69% riding percentage this season.
Finishing the National Final in third place after four nights of competition, Dias totaled 347.5 points this season, a considerable lead of 132.5 points ahead of second place and enough to confirm the title. But, despite the lead, the young phenomenon from Minas Gerais only secured the champion buckle on Sunday, as other athletes also maintained a mathematical chance of being champions.
Dias scored 90.5 points in Round 4, his first appearance on Sunday, riding Praiano (Guto Paglione), getting 20 points for his efforts and guaranteeing a spot in the final round, where only the top 10 in the aggregate qualified. With the round over, he was mathematically confirmed as National Champion as his main competitor didn't get points. In addition to the title of National Champion, Dias also won the buckle for Rookie of the Year, as it was his first year in the league.
In the National Final title dispute, which only considers the sum of scores from rides in the decisive event in Barretos, the champion was rookie Felipe Furlan (Sales Oliveira-SP), who totaled 349.5 points after scoring four qualified rides in five attempts over the weekend. The São Paulo rider celebrated the victory after scoring 90 points aboard the bull Cama Fria (FBM – Felipe Du Tato) in the final round and finished the championship as runner-up, accumulating 215.2 points.
The PBR Brazil National Final held in Barretos also crowned the Best Bull of the season, where Reza a Lenda (Red Bucking Bulls) was undeniable. Unbeaten in the season where he didn't let any competitor stay on his back for 8 seconds, the animal had the best average in Barretos, 44.5 of the possible 50 points. Earning more than R$500,000, Reza a Lenda is considered one of the toughest bulls of recent years in Brazil.
Results - Barretos
1 – Felipe Furlan – Sales Oliveira-SP – 349.5 points
2 – Bruno Roberto – Restinga-SP – 323.75 points
3 – Cássio Dias Barbosa – SF Sales-MG – 266.75 points
4 – Vitor Hugo Costa – Itaguajé-PR – 261.25 points
5 – João Lucas – Porto Feliz-SP – 258.25 points
Final Standings - Season 2022
1 – Cássio Dias Barbosa – SF Sales-MG – 347.5 points
2 – Felipe Furlan – Sales Oliveira-SP – 215.2 points
3 – Bruno Roberto – Restinga-SP – 194 points
4 – Arthur Antonialle – SJ Rio Pardo-SP – 186.5 points
5 – Sandro Batista – Pedra Preta-MT – 178 points