Jockey Kosei Yamamoto Falls From Horse but Is Unhurt
Listen to the story
Kosei Matsuyama, a well-known Japanese jockey, fell from his horse right after the start of the second WASJ race. The event happened during race 11 in Sapporo.
Matsuyama is famous for winning the Japanese Derby, one of the biggest horse races in the country. His fall shocked many people watching the event.
Videos showed Matsuyama hitting the ground hard after coming off his horse. Fans quickly shared worried comments online. Some said he seemed not to move at all, while others simply asked if he was okay.
After the fall, Matsuyama was examined by doctors. They found no injuries, and he was cleared to continue his racing schedule.
Despite the scary fall, Matsuyama plans to ride as scheduled on August 23. He will compete in the Keeneland Cup, riding a horse named Punjatower.
Punjatower won this same race last year, so Matsuyama hopes to help the horse win it again this time. Fans are relieved that the jockey is safe and are now looking forward to seeing him race again soon.
Vocabulary10 words
- jockey
- a person whose job is riding horses in races
- Derby
- a very important, big horse race
- injury
- damage or harm to someone's body
- fall
- an accident of dropping down suddenly
- examine
- to check something carefully
- schedule
- a plan of when things will happen
- compete
- to take part in a race or contest
- relieved
- feeling happy because worry has stopped
- cleared
- given permission after being checked
- shocked
- feeling very surprised, usually in a bad way
Quiz
Answer key
1. The second WASJ race 2. No injuries 3. It won the same race last year
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Kosei Matsuyama, a well-known Japanese _____, fell from his horse right after the start of the second _____ race.
Matsuyama is famous for winning the Japanese _____, one of the biggest horse races in the country.
Videos showed Matsuyama hitting the ground hard after coming off his horse. Fans quickly shared _____ comments online.
After the fall, Matsuyama was _____ by doctors. They found no _____, and he was cleared to continue his racing schedule.
Despite the scary fall, Matsuyama plans to ride as scheduled on August 23. He will _____ in the Keeneland Cup, riding a horse named Punjatower.
Punjatower won this same race last year, so Matsuyama hopes to help the horse win it again this time. Fans are _____ that the jockey is safe.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think fans reacted so strongly to seeing the fall?
- What do you think makes jockeys' jobs dangerous?
- How do you think Matsuyama felt after being told he was not injured?
- Would you feel nervous watching someone ride again after a fall like this?