On April 11, 2015, in Nampa, Idaho, Silvano Alves' young career could have been altered.

For the first time in his career, he sustained a serious injury: a fractured hip after he was bucked off byl Legal Tender in 3.88 seconds.

Up to that point in the season Alves was fourth in the standings. But after surgery and only four months on the shelf, the Brazilian-native came back and finished 6th in the PBR World Finals just six months after the surgery.

This year, Alves is back to his old form. The three-time PBR world champion just won the Eugene invitational in early October.

It was his first regular season win since the injury and now he conquered the biggest mental hurdle of any rider's career, returning to the scene of his most devastating ride in Nampa.

"I was nervous because I got hurt here last year, but right now it is good," Alves told PBR.com. "When I left my house this morning, I just told myself to keep strong. I talked to my family and said to be strong this weekend. This is a normal event."

Even with all of the nerves and bad memories, Alves put together a respectable showing, finishing 12th and earning 10 points.

"It was not a lot of points, but it is still special," Alves said

Before the injury, the Ford Idaho Center in Nampa was the site of Alves' first Built Ford Tough Series win in 2010.

"My first event in the United States started here and almost my last event was here," he said. "I remember my first time here, the guys never saw me, and I rode four bulls. They all said, 'Oh my, who is this guy?'"  

But the same arena now shares some painful memories and before his first run, Alves looked on as rookie rider Nevada Newman got knocked out by Big Sky.

The 28-year-old Brazilian said he was overcome with emotions for Newman, but quickly refocused himself in the chute.

"Once I saw Nevada get up and start walking again, I was relaxed," he said.

Because he only earned a handful of points this last outing, Alves is ranked 20th so far this season, so a fourth world title is likely out of reach come December. However, being able to ride without fear again is a victory in itself for the three-time champ.

"I am very comfortable," Alves said. "My body is stronger. There is more confidence. I have power for any bulls. My body and everything is good now."