Modest Delana keeps “low profile”

Fiji’s historic gold medal winner, Iliesa Delana arrived to a hero's welcome with a huge crowd waiting to greet him upon touching down at the Nadi Airport.

“We need to keep working hard so that young people who look to us realise the importance of that,” Delana said during a reception in Nadi.

He said the win was in the past and he is now looking to the future.

Delana thanked the people, the Government, and his Digicel sponsors who came out in full force to support him.

He described his gold medal win as the “most unforgettable moment of my life” which “cannot be described” in words.

Delana was accompanied by his coach Fred Fatiaki and physio Sharlene Nand.

After a reception at Nadi Airport, Delana flew to Nausori Airport where he was then escorted to Holiday Inn in Suva to rest for the big day tomorrow.

Tomorrow’s celebration will begin with a march accompanied by the Fiji 7s squad from the Flea Market to Albert Park and then to the Vodafone arena.

Delana's gold medal win in the F42 men's high jump classification at the recently completed 2012 London Paralympics is a first for Fiji and all Pacific Island nations.

By Ropate Valemei