Eugene: It was a memorable experience for a bunch of youngsters of Indian origin to run into Olympic champion in men’s javelin, Neeraj Chopra, on Tuesday evening near the University of Oregon. “I would say it was a dream come true to meet India’s first Olympic track and field champion,” Jaskiran, a university student, summed up the excitement when she met the superstar in person.
Related: Indian community hopeful of Neeraj Chopra doing a Tokyo at Eugene
Recalling the chance meeting with Chopra, among the favourites for a medal at the ongoing World Athletics Championships, Jaskiran admitted being nervous on how Chopra would react when her group rushed towards him. “We all were so nervous how he (Neeraj) would react, but he was so polite,” Jaskiran said, adding Chopra posed for pictures and interacted for a while. “For someone of his stature, spending time with us was a memorable experience for all of us.”
Jaskiran and her friends were on the sidewalk near an Indian eating joint on the fringes of the university when they noticed a man in blue (India) T-shirt and white cap. “Oh my God, it was Neeraj Chopra, and we rushed towards him,” Jaskiran recalled.
Selfies, pictures and a discussion with Neeraj kept the group of youngsters busy for half hour.
View this post on Instagram
Jaskiran was so excited that she even called her parents as their house is a five-minute drive from the university campus. “Neeraj waited for us, he is so humble,” Jaskiran’s mother, Balwinder Kaur, said.
Jaskiran and her family have been associated with Hayward Field (the competition venue) for almost two decades. “We have been in Eugene for a long time. We have seen Hayward Field being renovated. Eugene is a small city and if a big event is happening, we are excited. Moreover, Indian athletes are competing,” Balwinder added.
During the interaction, Neeraj suggested some of the youngsters take up sport. “Neeraj told my teenage son (Sach Keerat Singh) to pursue sport as he stands over six feet,” Palwinder Singh, the proprietor of the Indian restaurant said.
View this post on Instagram
The Indian community in Eugene has been following Indian sport, particularly athletics, and were eager to know about Neeraj’s feelings when he won the Olympic gold in Tokyo.
Neeraj was polite in his response. “It’s difficult to explain that feeling of winning an Olympic gold,” the Indian superstar told the youngsters before continuing with his evening walk.
 T-shirt and white cap. It was Neeraj Chopra){kind=link}