This young sportsman qualifies in every category of criteria for the Fiji Hall of Fame award that states to be eligible for nomination an athlete must:
- have retired from his/her sport for at least 5 years from the date of induction;
- be a Fiji citizen and/or achieved distinction as a Fiji Representative OR
- An athlete who by his/her sheer performance achieves international status and recognition shall be eligible for induction…….
His international and regional achievements are very impressive and include winning:
- Gold medals at the Arafura Games in 2007, 2009 and 2011
- The FESPIC Games in 2006, and
- The Habafaki Track/Field event in Japan in 2000.
Although not retired from his sport, Iliesa has, by his sheer performance achieved international status and recognition in his sport, Class F42 (single leg amputee without prosthesis) High Jump. In 2011, his Silver Medal win in the International Paralympic Committee’s World Championships in Christchurch, New Zealand, earned him not only a No. 2 ranking in the world but also qualified him for participation at the 2012 London Paralympic Games.
It set the stage for Iliesa’s debut at a Paralympic Games and there was none better than London 2012 for him to step into the limelight.
By jumping 1.74m Iliesa won Gold at the highest international level of competition – the London 2012 Paralympic Games. This historic jump was Fiji’s and Oceania’s first ever gold medal at the Paralympics with a new Oceania Record also established. FASANOC expresses gratitude to Digicel who assisted Iliesa Delana to realize his dream of Gold at the Paralympic Games.
Iliesa is a humble man who has worked hard and tirelessly to achieve excellence. As a role model for all Fijians and a light of hope for those with disabilities while exemplifying the highest human qualities FASANOC is delighted to induct Digicel’s Ambassador Iliesa Delana into the Fiji Sports Hall of Fame for his exceptional performance at the 2012 Paralympic Games.