Years of commitment and sacrifice finally paid off this morning for Iliesa Delana after he won gold in the Paralympic Games in London.
The 27-year-old won Fiji’s first ever Paralympic medal and just the second Paralympic medal by a Pacific athlete.
Delana won gold in the F42 high jump event with a jump of 1.74 metres setting a new regional record in the process.
Two other athletes cleared the bar at 1.74 meters but Delana was declared the winner after clearing the bar in his first attempt.
Delana who is from Nadrala in Nadroga said his hard work with his coach has finally paid off.
Speaking from London, Delana added he didn’t expect to win any medal at all.
The former Cuvu college student said he was pressured by the huge crowd.
Delana’s proud coach Fred Fatiaki said their strategy worked out perfectly for them.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama is calling on all Fijians to join him in congratulating Delana.
Commodore Bainimarama added that Delana’s win should be celebrated by all Fijians.
Delana and Team Fiji are expected back in the country next week.
Story by: Akuila Cama
