Samisoni Viriviri was eager to jump into role of daddy as the plane touched down in Nadi on Sunday.

While his teammates flew to Nausori that afternoon, he remained in Nadi to spend the first night with his newborn bundle of joy, his wife and family.

His wife, Elenoa, had given birth while he was in Chile.

“I’m more than happy to see my baby girl (Vikali), wife and family at home. They’ve all been waiting for me.”

The Team Fiji men’s rugby sevens winger said he had been away from home for some time and could not wait to perform his fatherly duties with his daughter.

Elenoa said: “I had planned to take baby to the airport so she could meet her father for the first time as I knew he was going to Suva after that.

“But to our surprise my husband told me that he would be home after the celebration from Prince Charles Park just to spend the night with our daughter before he goes to Suva on Monday morning.”

She said the atmosphere in Dratabu was completely different ever since Viriviri arrived home.

“Our house is always full of family members and fans not only in Dratabu but throughout Nadi.

“They’ve just come to take pictures and congratulate him and the team for winning the gold medal at the Olympic Games.”