Helen Chandler for Westminster News Online wrote:

Future Paralympian

One of the first British soldiers to benefit from services charity Help for Heroes, Derek was hand-picked for his natural athletic prowess to go to a training camp in America and assess his potential as a future Paralympic athlete.

And it seems the Fijian, who now lives in Bushey, was a natural.

“I am trying really hard to get into the GB Paralympics squad,” Derek, oozing confidence and optimism, said. “My goal is to be on the podium come London 2012.

“I have broken two British records already in shot put, and I’m also trying to do the same in discus and javelin.” [....]

“It’s very tough because of injuries like this, trying to train with part of your body missing is very difficult because I am not used to living like this.

“But it’s a new challenge for me. I’m so thankful to be part of the best army in the world and represent Britain in the war zone, and now I would like to represent Britain in the Paralympics as well.” [....]

“Even though I don’t have my legs any more…For me, the sky’s the limit.”

Chandler, H (2010). 'Profile: Derek Derenalagi, Paralympian', Westminster News Online, 03.2010.
http://www.wnol.info/?p=3608  [last accessed 24.02.2011]

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