Siueni Filimone was unable to compete at the 100 metres dash at the Rio Olympics after a hamstring injury forced him out of Sunday’s event.
Kaniva News reports his condition was unknown but photos uploaded to Facebook showed he was limping out of the field with the help of a supporter. He was also seen being pushed on a wheelchair.
His supporters, however, took to Facebook to congratulate and told Filimone he has won a gold medal for Tonga after he became second in the preliminary 100m in 10.76 seconds.
Meanwhile it has been reported that there were two Tongan referees at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Lata Kaumatule, 31, and Tevita Makasini, 39, were both assistant referees in Olympic Soccer competition.
Tonga has won one Olympic medal, a silver won in 1996 by boxer Paea Wolfgramm. The nation has seven athletes in Rio, competing in archery, track, swimming and taekwondo.