Emma Watson turns athlete, competes in Oxford rowing team; rival teams mocks her by playing Harry Potter theme after win
Emma Watson is yelling directions into a microphone these days. But it's not on a film set, and she has not turned film director. The Harry Potter star is, instead, showcasing her athletic prowess by competing in Oxford University's Summer Eights rowing regatta. (Also read: Emma Watson's dad Chris Watson warns parents of new Harry Potter HBO series cast)
The 35-year-old actor has been studying at Oxford since 2023. This summer, she took on the role of coxswain for her team. Participating in an intercollegiate competition, Emma steered her team to victory in one of the four races they participated in, according to reports.
The Daily Mail reported that her team lost the other three races, however. An Instagram user who posts about women's sports called it a 'great development' and even revealed that the rival team got one up on her, playing the Harry Potter theme song after beating them, as a 'gotcha' on Emma and her team.
Emma Watson, known for her iconic role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series, has never rowed before. Her involvement in rowing marks a departure from her acting career, which she has largely stepped back from in recent years.
Her decision to focus on academia and pursue her passion for learning has led her to enrol in a graduate degree program at Oxford. In addition to her rowing endeavours, Watson made a rare public appearance at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, marking her return to the event after a 12-year absence.
In earlier interviews, Watson discussed the importance of taking a step back from acting and allowing herself to explore new interests and passions.
In a December 2023 interview, she expressed her gratitude for the decision, saying that it has given her a sense of autonomy and creative freedom.
(With ANI inputs)
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