A 13-year-old BMX rider doesn't often get to hit the track with an Olympic medallist - but that was the reality for Hunter Stirling-Lindsay.
The Alexandra teen, who is partially blind, had the ride of his life, when Sarah Walker offered to take him on.
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Meeting the BMX legend left Hunter clearly lost for words, after his idol surprised him at the AIMS Games in Tauranga.
"It was just like, wow, I really couldn't believe what I was seeing," he told Newshub. "I thought it was a dream."
The journey hasn't been easy for Hunter. Five years ago, he collided with another rider at the South Island finals and was left severely concussed.
"To regain all my confidence again, it took just over 12 months," he says.
As a result of the crash, he's now partially blind and his vision has been getting worse, but he's still keen to race.
The surprise wasn't just a meet and greet. Walker got into her racing gear and did a few laps alongside Hunter.
"You're so inspiring to be doing what you're doing," Walker told him.
For Hunter, it was the experience of a lifetime and a chance to take on a world champion. He says he would love to follow Walker's footsteps and go pro, and hopes his blindness doesn't get in the way.
"I'll try do BMX as long as I can, even if it gets worse," he says.
That's an inspiring attitude from a teen with big BMX dreams.
Newshub.
