"I DEDICATE this win to all of you, the people of Fiji."
These were Iliesa Delana's words yesterday as he addressed more than 5000 people at the Vodafone Arena in Suva, who had turned up to salute his achievement at the London Paralympic Games.
He bowed his head in disbelief as the arena came to life to celebrate his victory F42 men's high jump.
In his speech, the 27-year-old recited a poem which included the words "In moments like this, when the nation's heart beats together as one, winning isn't everything, wanting to win is".
Mr Delana said his achievement could be best described when more than 80,000 people joined him during the raising of the Fiji flag and the singing of the national anthem in London on September 3.
"This is for you," Mr Delana said. "Fiji — this is the way the world should be."
He dedicated his win to God, to the government of Fiji and its beloved nation, the staff of Digicel, the 21 tikina (districts) of Nadroga, the Turaga Na Ka Levu and all disabled people.
"I really did not expect this," Mr Delana said.
"I knew there was going to be a celebration, but seeing people from all over Suva is just overwhelming."