POWERLIFTER Nathan Fisher got off his sick bed to win a fabulous gold medal at the Special Olympics.
Two days before the competition the 28-year-old from Harrow Hill was on a drip after picking up a bug in Athens.
Nathan won his gold medal in the bench press.
He also won a silver medal in the squat and bronze in the deadlift.
The Games featured 7,000 athletes from 180 countries.
To mark Nathan's success a celebratory dinner is being held in his honour at the Xerox Sports & Social Club in Mitcheldean on Saturday night. Around 138 guests will be attending.
Nathan's GB coach Gary Porter said: "What Nathan achieved is remarkable as he was ill in bed two days before the competition and we weren't even sure if he would be able to take part.
"He's really dedicated to his sport and he lifted with his heart." Nathan – who works as a volunteer at the Forest Fitness Centre in Cinderford where he trains four times a week – competed in the 60 kilo class. He lifted 125 kilos in the squat, 87½ kilos in the bench and 117½ kilos in the dead lift.
As Athens experienced a day of rioting and strikes, the 157 athletes on the Special Olympics GB team stayed calm to win a total of 45 medals – 20 gold, 10 silver and 15 bronze.
With the Greek government facing a tough austerity package, the city ground to a halt with a 48-hour general strike.
Hospitals, banks and public transport were heavily impacted by the first of two days of action, but the World Games were a centre of calm with private shuttle buses ferrying games-goers to the action and 20,000 volunteers keeping things running smoothly.
Alan Elliott from the Forest Fitness Centre said: "Considering Nathan was on a drip a day or so before the competition it says as much about his mental strength as his physical strength.
"I'm delighted for him and it's a reward for 12 years of dedication."