Japanese Olympic golden boy spooked by 'stalker'
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Kohei Uchimura of Japan celebrates winning a silver medal in the men's gymnastics floor exercise victory ceremony in the North Greenwich Arena during the London 2012 Olympic Games on Aug 5, 2012. He has experienced the darker side of celebrity after complaining of a schoolgirl "stalker", local media reported on Thursday. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
TOKYO (REUTERS) - Japan's Olympic gymnastics champion Kohei Uchimura has experienced the darker side of celebrity after complaining of a schoolgirl "stalker", local media reported on Thursday.
The 23-year-old, who won the all-around title in London earlier this month, said the teenager had chased after him on her bicycle.
"I was scared so I ran into the house and hid," Uchimura told Japanese media. "There's no doubt that was a stalker. I'm happy for the support...but if you come to my house I'm going to think you're a stalker."
Just three days ago, after an open-top bus parade for Japan's Olympic medallist attracted 500,000 people, Uchimura said he felt "like a celebrity".
