【】sports patriotism = LIFE.
Fiji's men's rugby sevens team has made history by defeating Great Britain and claiming the country's first-ever medal -- a gold. Twitter is ablaze as the team's countrymen and women back home celebrate with the fervour of a thousand suns. 。
The men from the former British colony dominated their opponents, towering over them with a 43-7 victory at the final whistle. 。
SEE ALSO:The stories behind the women: meet the world's first gold medal-winning rugby 7s team 。Right up until the match's last moment the people of Fiji appeared to be holding their breath, with one local bank even closing for 30 minutes during game play because 。sports patriotism = LIFE. 。
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And now the stories start to come out if rugby crazy Fiji. This for starters. pic.twitter.com/mtIoeHu52n 。
— Bruce Cook (BruceCookRugby) August 11, 2016 。
Once the final whistle blew, the proud nation collectively lost it, with it's citizens literally dancing in the streets, hanging flags from buildings and celebrating with the unbridled joy of a country that finally won a gold medal after decades of trying. 。
They're dancing on the streets of Suva - Fiji pick up their first ever Olympic medal - #gold in #Rugby7s!
They're dancing on the streets of Suva - Fiji pick up their first ever Olympic medal - #gold in #Rugby7s! #FIJ pic.twitter.com/soCJnlqxqi 。
— Sporting Index (sportingindex) August 11, 2016 。
Our friends from across the road at Reserve Bank of Fiji celebrating #FIJ 's #Gold view from #ANZFiji TeamFiji pic.twitter.com/2EZ7CsNMPU 。
— Mue Bentley Fisher (mueFIJI) August 11, 2016 。
Tweet may have been deleted 。
Beautiful job, Fiji! What a win! pic.twitter.com/ZaZyVIUzco 。
🇫🇯🙌🏾HUGE CHEERS over in #Fiji...Mossy & Robbo are back on EONSportsRadio NOW!😜
— Maebh Long (perdita66) August 11, 2016 。
TUNE IN ➡️ https://t.co/Om1pBtUiMa pic.twitter.com/wbfzmyw3AC 。
— 〽️ossy and Robbo (MossyandRobbo) August 11, 2016 。
Everyone is celebrating in Fiji! #olympicfever pic.twitter.com/5ZqTVByKYr。
— Erin Turner (ErinLTurner) August 11, 2016。
Tweet may have been deleted 。
For the first time in Olympic history, the #FIJ national anthem is played. #Rio2016 https://t.co/h7X4TsiB5A 。
— 7Olympics (7olympics) August 11, 2016。
While their country was enjoying the win back home, the team celebrated their historic win (apart from the wearing of a crisp gold medal) with an emotional victory song. 。
What a moment for #FIJ The victorious men's #RugbySevens team celebrate their first ever #Gold in song #Rio2016 https://t.co/Ffiy4oet01。
— 7olympics (7olympics) August 11, 2016 。
Fiji have been competing at the Olympics since the Melbourne games of 1956 but have not claimed gold until now. It's the first year rugby, popular in Fiji, has been included in Olympic competition since 1924. 。The moral to the story?The moral to the story? If at first you don't succeed, keep trying and maybe 60 years later you'll absolutely wipe the floor with your competition.。Josua Tuisova of Fiji celebrates as his team wins gold.Credit: David Rogers/Getty Images。