Comment by Valentino Martinez on September 1, 2012 at 7:29pm

                     

No medal for Derek Derenalagi but not bad for a man once declared dead

A soldier who lost both legs to a bomb in Afghanistan fails in the discus but is still a hero to the 80,000 Olympic Stadium crowd

Andy Bull at the Olympic Stadium

guardian.co.uk, Friday 31 August 2012 18.09 EDT

 

Derek Derenalagi, 32, lost his legs – they were amputated below the knee – while he was serving with the army in Afghanistan. His Land Rover was hit by an improvised explosive device. The medical staff had given up on him and were about to put him into a body bag when one of them detected a weak pulse. He spent eight days in a coma, three weeks in hospital. Now, with the help of the army's Battle Back rehabilitation program, he is a proud Paralympian.

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/aug/31/derek-derenalagi-discus...

Comment by Valentino Martinez on September 6, 2012 at 9:40pm

Derek Derenalagi - a British Army combat veteran given up for dead after losing both legs in a roadside bomb explosion in Afghanistan that put him in an eight day coma...recovers and begins to rebuild his life starting with becoming a competitive athlete.

His story is an important story of great courage and determination that is worth repeating for inspiration to everyone and anyone who thinks their career trek is has been demanding.

As a Vietnam Era veteran and a seasoned and accomplished discus thrower -- I am in AWE of Derek Derenalagi and his decision to show up again as a competitor. In this phot Derek is already showing great form as a Discus Thrower.  I wish him success in his career endeavor as a Paralympic Athlete.

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