It was a special moment for Epeli Balebau after winning a gold medal in the Senior Men’s Para High Jump with a height of 1.75metres in the Melanesian Athletics Championship at the ANZ Stadium last night.

The 44-year-old who qualified for the Rio Olympics in March in the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Athletics Asia-Oceania Championships in Dubai said the Melanesian Games was a good preparation platform for him.

“It is my first time going to the Olympics and getting a gold medal in the Melanesian Games is a really big boost for me,” Balebau said. “I qualified for Rio in March and ever since, I’ve just been preparing myself mentally and physically because it is a big thing for me.

“But winning this gold has made me realise the Olympic dream is becoming more real and the pressure to do perform well has gone up now. Preparation has been tough compared to a normal training programme. I’ve been working out at the gym and also doing track work to get stronger and better.”

Competing against athletes from other countries in Rio will make competition tough.

“Even though the Olympic Games is a dream come true for many athletes, it is also one of the toughest competitions that they will ever take part in and that is how I view it,” he said.

“But I am going there to do my best and anything that happens after that will be a bonus. The Lord has guided me this far in my sporting career and I know he will do so again when I go to Rio.”

Balebau dedicated his win to his three children Meresaini Durusa, Emori Raluveisoba and Asenaca Vosabole and his two coaches Freddy Fatiaki and Ben Qumi

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua.

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