Practice English with NewsPractice with News
EntertainmentSports309 words2 min read

Chris Hemsworth's Daughter Wins Boys' Rodeo Competition

a man and a small child walking on a dirt road
Photo by Derek Owens on Unsplash
0:00 / 0:00

Listen to the story

A video showing India, the 14-year-old daughter of actors Elsa Pataky and Chris Hemsworth, winning a rodeo competition has drawn widespread attention online.

The footage, shared by her father, shows India competing in bull riding, a demanding rodeo discipline in which participants attempt to remain mounted on a bucking bull for as long as possible.

According to the report, India was the only girl taking part in the competition and went on to beat all the male competitors to claim the victory.

Hemsworth, best known internationally for his role as Thor in major film franchises, expressed clear pride in his daughter's accomplishment when he posted the clip.

A caption accompanying the video reportedly read: "the only girl, and she took the victory," underlining the unusual nature of her success in a male-dominated sport.

Elsa Pataky, India's mother and herself a well-known actress, has also been associated with public appearances alongside the family, though no further details were given regarding her reaction to the event.

Bull riding is widely regarded as one of the more hazardous rodeo disciplines, demanding significant balance, strength and nerve from competitors.

By defeating an entirely male field, India's win has been framed by many online observers as a notable instance of a young woman challenging traditional gender norms within the sport.

The video has circulated widely on social media platforms, generating considerable engagement from users who praised both her skill and her courage.

No specific details were provided in the original coverage regarding the location, date or organisers of the competition.

The story adds to a pattern in which children of high-profile celebrities pursue interests and activities that differ markedly from the entertainment industry careers of their parents.

It remains unclear whether India intends to continue competing in rodeo events, as no further comment from the family was included in the available report.

Vocabulary7 words

rodeo
a competition involving horses and bulls
bull riding
an event where a rider stays on a jumping bull
victory
a win in a contest
pride
a strong feeling of happiness about success
hazardous
dangerous; risky
gender norms
common ideas about how men or women should act
franchise
a series of connected films or products

๐Ÿ“š Ready to use these words in a real conversation?

Practice live with a real tutor on Preply.

Quiz

1. What sporting event did India take part in?
2. What made India's win particularly notable, according to the report?
3. True or False: Chris Hemsworth shared a video expressing pride in his daughter.

โœ… Nice work on the quiz!

Keep the momentum going โ€” book a live English lesson with a Preply tutor.

Preply โ€” learn a language with a live tutor, 50% off

Discussion questions

  1. Why might stories like this one attract significant attention on social media?
  2. What challenges might young athletes face when competing in sports dominated by the opposite gender?
  3. Do you think celebrity parents' public sharing of their children's achievements is a positive or negative thing? Why?
  4. What qualities do you think are needed to succeed in a sport like bull riding?

๐ŸŽ“ Enjoyed this story?

Turn today's reading into real speaking practice with a live Preply tutor.

Preply โ€” learn a language with a live tutor, 50% off

More Entertainment stories