India's performance in the Tokyo Olympics 2020 held this year amidst the COVID-19 pandemic is nothing short of euphoria. But what came as icing to the cake was the winning of the first field and track Gold medal at Olympics by Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra. It was our National Anthem moment at the podium after waiting for a bit too long.
The celebrations back home in India were crazy as it was a moment of pride for 135 crore Indians. But wait, the celebrations were not just confined to our country but also crossed the shores and reached a 130-resident remote village in south-west Germany. You must be thinking how come? So here's the answer.
The small village of Oberschlettenbach in Germany also joined the celebrations of Neeraj Chopra winning a gold medal in the Olympics Javelin final. And this is because the man behind this huge success is none other than Dr Klaus Bartonietz, who hails from this village.
Coach Bartonietz is a celebrity in his village
73-year-old biomechanical expert, Bartonietz who has been coaching Neeraj Chopra, played an indispensable part in this victory. Back home, Bartonietz has been flooded with congratulatory calls and messages from a host of people. The Indian Express reported that since his return to his village, Bartonietz has been surrounded by enthusiastic neighbours who watched the Olympics Javelin final where Chopra created history.
The German coach Dr Klaus Bartonietz is now nothing less than a celebrity in his village. Speaking with the Indian Express, Bartonietz told that his neighbours were particularly impressed by the way Neeraj Chopra raised his hands in a winning gesture even before he saw where the javelin landed and was confident of victory.
Bartonietz says he has never received so many calls as he is getting now after Neeraj Chopra's Olympic win. The proud coach says that people call him up to know about Neeraj Chopra. During his conversation, the coach said that a lot of athletes and other coaches have also been calling him up. Bartonietz says he feels funny how things change overnight.
Head coach Uwe Hohn receives a grand welcome
India’s head coach for javelin, Uwe Hohn who is also from Germany received a similar grand welcome in his home town Rheinsberg. In the town with 8000 inhabitants, Neeraj Chopra's gold medal win at the Olympics has become the talking point of the town.
In his conversation with the Indian Express, Hohn told that he has already met his mother and sister and they discussed at length about Neeraj Chopra's performance at the Olympics. Arguably the greatest javelin thrower of the generation, Hohn has been training Chopra right from his early days and has helped him grow as a player and win trophies at the Asian and Commonwealth games.
Uwe Hohn is the only javelin thrower to have thrown over 100 metres in the world.
