Just when the nation is looking for heroes, for a unifying force that’s above the political fray, one emerges. Just when we need it most, someone shows us that disadvantage is no barrier to achieving success. Iliesa Delana isn’t exactly the hero from central casting. For a start, he has only one leg. But no-one who witnessed his arrival back in the country was left in any doubt that this gold medal winner is a hero for our times. He might have one leg but he has Fiji’s biggest heart. And he has brought the country together in a way that we could have scarcely hoped for, let alone believed.
Soon after his Air Pacific Boeing 737 passed under a water spout salute from two airport fire trucks and came to a halt, Iliesa emerged immaculately clad in a tailored dark jacket and sulu. He seemed genuinely taken aback by the size of the welcome that awaited him. There to greet him was the Minister for Sport, Viliame Naupoto, Iliesa’s beaming sponsors and a brass band. Plus all the formal sense of occasion that the Government’s protocol section can muster. Yet it was the wave of excitement that spread through the welcoming crowd of ordinary people that would have struck Iliesa the most. As he glided on his crutches from the aircraft down the overhead concourse, airport workers spilled out onto the tarmac, craning their necks upwards to get a better view. And as he headed for the Government’s VIP lounge – surely a Very Important Person if ever there was one – the girls who man the airport lounges left their desks and waited delightedly for him to pass.
I have been a journalist for almost 40 years. And I can say that few news conferences I have ever attended were as genuinely impressive as the one for Iliesa Delana. This wasn’t the sports hero we’re used to seeing, the pumped up celebrity who can’t hide how pleased they are with themselves and their achievement. Iliesa slipped into his seat with exemplary modesty, looking for all the world as if he didn’t deserve to be there. It was with the customary half bowed posture of an i’taukei who has been reared all his life in one of the most cherished traditions of the vanua – to be modest when acclaimed, to lower one’s head when others praise you. Whatever his stupendous achievement on the sports field, this guy has been well brought up and is a credit to his family, his mataqali and the vanua as a whole.. Every Fijian – whatever their racial background – admires this in an age of false “Big Brother” celebrity and the wannabe, “look at me” culture of the viavialevu.
One of the journalists present asked: “Do you realise the reception that awaits you?” Iliesa simply said he was humbled by all the fuss and thanked the Government, his sponsors and the people of Fiji who willed him on. Journalists are a cynical mob by nature but you could sense the barometer of respect in the VIP room blowing off the scale. Ilisea spoke beautifully, economically and with quiet dignity. There weren’t that many questions because he covered every base in just a handful. Then he cut a special celebratory cake, everyone applauded and it was over. And Fiji’s new sporting hero glided out on his crutches into the airport’s public areas to a rapturous reception from hundreds of excited onlookers. The public areas were so clogged that airline workers worried about getting overseas passengers on their flights.
Don’t just watch Iliesa on television. Get out and see him in the flesh. For a start, he’s much more handsome than he appears on TV. But parents, take your children down to the public celebrations to see a real hero, not just a passing celebrity but a man who is a genuine role model, whose life story is an inspiration to all our young people. I promise you that your kids will never forget it.
How Iliesa Delana’s birth mother must have shed tears of despair when her precious son lost his leg in a bus accident at the age of three. And how his aunty – who raised him after the death of his mother – must have cried tears of joy all these years later when the news reached her – fresh from her teitei – that after all that tragedy, he had brought 80-thousand people to their feet as he cleared the hurdle in the Olympic stadium half a world away. Many of his fellow citizens – especially the more sentimental – also shed a tear or two, bursting with pride at the television images of Iliesa perched on his crutches waving our national flag. It was truly an unforgettable sight.
On Thursday, Ilesa’s family joins him in Suva as the nation pays tribute to his wonderful achievement. They will doubtless be proudest of all. But all Fijians are rejoicing, every single one of us. Because for once – thanks to this superb athlete – we are united. One nation working together against the odds.
Vinaka vakalevu Mr Delana! He is an inspiration to all of us!
An inspiration in every sense of the word! Well done and congratulations!
Well said Graham. The lump in my throat just can’t seem to go away. I will be amongst those paying homage in Suva.
Mr. Delana, you are my HERO!
What a man, words cant really begin to explain the meganatude of Mr Delana’s achievement, talkabout action speak louder then words, in one jump and leap he overcame the barrier and inspired a nation for years to come, he gave hope that you can overcome any barriers and the fact he actually literally did it to achieve it makes it all the more satisfying and very inspiring.
Mr Delana I wish you the very best in your future endevours and may you receive the full support you deserve as you prepare for Rio 2016. As you say you’re now already thinking about.
God Bless.
Congratulations to Iliesa and shame on all those trying to jump on the bandwagon including dictator Bainimarama and the illegal regime – Graham, i would have respected your views if you had condemned your pet heroes in government for not suporting this poor brave soul – as Fijivillage had pointed out – he didnt even have to bus fare to go to the President’s palace to obtain a blessing for his journey to London, and the glory this man has achieved for all of us. Shame on the regime and honour to Iliesa
Yawn. It’s the way of the world. Everyone loves a winner. So what?
To Delana Worshipper if you didn’t know the Fiji Army was one of the only few organisations that gave money for Delana’s preparations and didn’t make big media releases about it. The Fiji army is also headed by the Prime Minister of Fiji. Now we ask you what did you give?
I wonder how Graham Davis managed to get those photos in the story – masi polo must have been allowed by his pet regime – go Iliesa go!
Sorry to disappoint you, Airport Security Officer, but, as usual, there’s no conspiracy. I was waiting in the Air Pacific lounge for my flight to Sydney and it all just unfolded in the VIP lounge across the corridor. The great man came in on the flight I eventually went out on. I always carry an SLR camera and noticing the excitement, just went in with the rest of the local media and fired off a few shots. Boring isn’t it?
@ Airport Security Officer
Seti, seti via via James Bond tu mai o iko qai o laurai ni o baku levu tu.
As Graham explains he happened to be there at the time and took advantage of the photo opportunity. Whats wrong with that?
For Heaven’s sake, not everyone is a ‘masipolo’
You need help my friend.
Can I recommend Dr Raju to you for some psychological counselling. His clinic is in Ba.
He will get you to lie down on a couch and delve into your sub-concious mind to work out what exactly is your problem – maybe you have unresolved issues over the fact that you pet dog was run over by a cane truck when you were 3 years old?
All these issues that remain unresolved in the very small spaces of your sub-conscious mind will be examined and exposed by Dr Raju.
Kusa tagane, mo laki vakarorogo mada vua. (go listen to Dr Raju and take his advice)
@ Airport Security Officer
I forgot to mention that Dr Raju also has a bottle oid vaseline in his drawer that could work wonders for your constipation!
YEOOOW……
@delana worshipper, stop trying to taint the congratulatory piece of Mr Iliesa Delana. As with the issue of no bus fare, isnt that the responsibility of the Fiji olympic/paralympic officials. Mr Delana himself dedicated his win to the people of Fiji, too right we’ll jump on his bandwagon for he has made us proud. Regardless of whether you work in the government or private sector, as Fijians we’re damn proud of him.
You’re asking Graham to use Delana”s victory to condemn the government, how is that any different, you’re also jumping on the bandwagon, what a hypocrite.
@airport security officer, Graham got the pictures by walking behind you while you were busy checking the computer on updates from coup 4.5. Maybe you’ll be promoted to airport cleaning officer next for doing a good job.
Vinaka, Graham
Wonderful photos but please remind your illegals of their treatment of the “GREAT MAN” before the games
What did you give Delana before the game Airport Security? Wait for Delana to that those who helped and you will be very surprised.
Moto bitu
That vaseline could be for your brain from Dr Raju – although I dont agree with everything on C4/5 it is still the site to read for all the scams etc taking place under our noses
Airport security officer,
Whats hangin’ with you, you smelly pest.
This forum has been dedicated to Illiesa Delana you moronic cult worshipper.
You don’t agree with everything C4/5 spews but you still follow their preachings.
You must be a lialia.
Go and a get life you pig.
Memu si security officer! Congratulations Iliesa brought a tear to my eye! We are proud of you.
Scam huh, wow. This article is about a true Fiji son who through his sweat achieved something, unlike most of your friends at coup 4.5 who live off the sweats/tax of hardworking citizens of other lands. They don’t work and all they do is talk alot of bullshit about secondhand info on things they hear.
Anyways let’s not get off topic and just pay respect to Mr Delana for inspiring a nation for years to come.
Vei talanoa na vei wekani ra basika na maqe! Maumau na vasilini, qoka erauta sara ga na diesel fuel!
Graham…. thanks for something different and more inspiring this morning. Just reading your introduction made me shed some tears.
To Illiesa,yoy a era Gem bro. It’s your moment. Make the most of it pal because you deserve every bit of it.
And…… look what you have done !!! You have brought the whole nation together, regardless of everything.
You are my hero Illesa !!!!!!!! And we love you for that.
Airport Security you need to grow up and stop being a looser that you are.
This is an inspiring story. It is related somewhat to the earlier story on Christianity and the Methodists etc in the sense that a key message or lesson about the story of Jesus, is that the most inspirational people can emerge from the margins of society and rise up to be the King (or the King of Kings in the case of Jesus Christ).
Illiesa’s story, of rising up from adversity from the margins of society, to achieve gold for Fiji and his humility in his public presentation as we see on TV here in Fiji, has a similar inspirational ring to the Jesus story.
Thank you Illiesa and God Bless you
@ Kathy,
Can we for once enjoy the glory for Delana as one people without the reference to some religion….or someone……please….or may I remind you that the overall total medal winners in the olympic games were not Jesus followers…..now come on
Oh boy another one…
Thank you Graham for capturing this sooo articulately – wordsmiths do have a way with words that dig deep into people’s hearts. Spoilsports such as Airport (in)Security Officer and Delana Worshipper have no place in moments such as these. They should just sit down and shut up. Because they only spoil the fun for those of us who are basking in Fiji’s joy over this awesome youngster called Iliesa Delana. BaM to you Gold Medalist – Blessings and Miracles!
@ Talei Dredre,,,,
Nice call pal. We really do have idiots in this forum who are just so out of this planet. Those two lunatics have no place in this spread.
Lets all tell the this !!!!
maybe need to send some BaM !!! to the Airport Security Officer and Delana Worshipper!!! Ulukau’s!!!!
Airport security
Your comment speaks volume of your mentality. I pity you man.
Vinaka Graham for capturing perfectly what most of us are feeling. As for those who are using this piece to take potshots at the government shame on you. Have a bit of class guys and just let us enjoy this perfect moment and respect what a fellow fijian has done. Vinaka Iliesa…you are the man!
Can only say congratulations and God Bless
Well done Iliesa Delana!…all words and acclodes conveyed to our golden boy is not only merited but soundly deserved for the acheivement accomplished which makes him UNIQUE not only in our country but the whole of the ocenia/pacific region…we have won world cups in rugby 7s and felt on top of the world…we have won golf tourneys[vijay] and felt on top of the world …we have irreplaceable memories of the the 3 in a row triumph in hong kong of the early nineties…but never have we been so proud to be called fijians on the annointed day of september 3rd 2012….for with the humble leap of faith on that cold english night…Iliesa Delana ensured that the name of his country be embbeded in the chronicles of history! For he ensured that only the very best would do!..winning that gold medal stamped his name in folklore legends and his story will be told for generations to come…and will no doubt be an inspiration to the young!.. So my fellow countrymen lets celebrate this for what it is, a young man sacrificing alot ,through all his obstacles and tribulations, never gave up in the face of adversity..beliving in his ability and having faith in devine guidance and most importantly of all standing up and being counted in front of 80000 thousand people when he was called upon …and as graham couldnt have put it any better..he is truly a hero of our time!…..so let give homage to our golden hero and not use his parade for our own personal agenda of sniping at what or what the goverment didnt do..leave that for another time coz rite now is Delana time!…God bless my fiji!