DESPITE not seeking Fiji's blessing at the Paralympics in London Iliesa Delana overcame all odds to do his country proud.
Delana was one of Fiji's athletes who did not present his itatau to the President because he had no bus fare.
And his achievement left the Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons on "cloud nine" yesterday after he scooped the first gold medal not only for Fiji but throughout the Pacific.
Council executive director, Doctor Sitiveni Yanuyanutawa told The Fiji Times yesterday that Delana's achievement was forthcoming.
"We knew that he would deliver his best from witnessing his commitment and hard work," Dr Yanuyanutawa said.
"The soft-spoken man hardly speaks, he is very quiet but he does his talking on the ground when he is training," he said.
"The whole affiliates of NCDP are on cloud nine right now," he said.
Dr Yanuyanutawa said Delana's achievement showed that despite his differences the sky was his limit.
He said this historic moment brought the disabled persons to the limelight after a long time.
"We seem to be forgotten by members of the communities, but today (yesterday) we have proven that these people are capable of anything in life," Dr Yanuyanutawa said.
He said when they heard Delana's shocking news over the radio they had to crosscheck via internet to ensure the information was not misleading.
"We should all be proud of this amazing moment because Delana did this for the people of Fiji," Dr Yanuyanutawa said.