It actually happened on Monday, but I'm staggered still. And feel like bragging.
So, I've been going to the same gym for 11 years now. A pretty standard commercial gym near my home. I came to train on that day only to find the world champion and deadlift WR holder, Yuri Belkin, doing a shoulder press in the rack beside me... I mean, I'm no pro, just your average Joe. I've never participated in any tourneys or even seriously planned to. As weightlifting is just one of my hobbies. But I did, out of curiosity, watch several world championships and interviews. And, well, I was pretty certain it was him. I asked some instructors just to make sure, and I was right. That came out of nowhere. I had no idea the guy was in the country, much less in town. There are also gyms on every corner nowadays as you might imagine. I don't think my gym has ever had any national-level athletes, much less the world level. Heck, possibly top1 or at least one of the strongest living ppl on Earth in it. He gave me a handshake when I saw him on Wednesday YET AGAIN. I was told by instructors that he got a membership and will be coming regularly now... Such a bizarre appearance became quite a hot topic in the changing room obviously. I'm just proud that my gym got enough plates to accommodate if anything. Even though it does take him quite a tour to collect 'em all, it seems. Not sure if these halls had seen such weights being moved before, but I was mostly blown away by the too impeccable of a technique. The motion so fluid it's as if one gets born with that.
I guess, I'm more raring to train than usual. And wonder whether he'll be there today as well. Guess that dude basically lives in every gym he goes to. One of my mates stipulated that he got tired of ppl accosting him for an autograph, so switches between the lesser known venues now. I don't really know.