Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Sport: Fiji’s Paralympic champion thought his chance had gone

Posted at 22:47 on 04 September, 2012 UTC

Fiji’s Paralympic champion, Iliesa Delana, admits he thought his chance of winning a gold medal might have slipped away at the last moment.

The 27 year old became the first Pacific athlete to win an Olympic or Paralympic gold medal this morning in the men’s high jump.

Delana’s best jump was one-point-74 metres - the same height as his nearest rivals from India and Poland - but the Fijian won gold on a countback by taking fewer jumps.

After missing an attempt at one-point 77 metres, Delana thought his chance had gone.

“The guy from Polska had one more. I told him, the game is yours; and he shook my hand but he didn’t do it. I wait for the guy from India - again he didn’t do it - and then I know this moment is mine.”

Iliesa Delana admits his win is still sinking in and says he’s looking forward to returning to Fiji with his gold medal.