August 11 was a day no-one from Fiji will ever forget.
The country’s Sevens stars entered their gold medal match against a Team GB side that had stunned New Zealand and South Africa on their way. The weight of an expectant nation rested on their collective shoulders but you could never tell.
They shredded the British side and were unrelenting. Victory was already confirmed by half-time, the bench emptied in the second half so everyone could get a taste, and still they sought tries. They sought scores and won in quite glorious style, 43-7.
In doing so, they delivered the first ever Olympic gold for Fiji. It was their first medal of any colour. A national holiday was declared, and rightly so.
Last week, several of the Fijian stars have returned home to a welcome fit for heroes. They travelled from Nadi to Suva and it must have felt like the whole nation had turned out.
On our way to the stadium #Fiji7s #RioOlympics2016 pic.twitter.com/iL9RzP96Yo
— Ben Ryan Fiji 7s (@benjaminryan) August 21, 2016
On Monday, Semi Kunatani returned to his village of Naveyago for the first time since helping Fiji to Olympic gold.
The scenes were truly heartwarming and spirit-lifting.
Unbelievable day watching Semi Kunatani return to his village of Naveyago for the first time since winning Gold. pic.twitter.com/IVIYJrymAf
— Sean Maloney (@seanny202) August 30, 2016
Kunatini and his teammates have been awarded the Officer of the Order of Fiji medal in honour of their achievements in Rio. The versatile forward will return to his club side, Toulouse, in the coming weeks. The French outfit are scheduled to play Connacht in the Champions Cup.
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