‘The last one hundred metres, I knew I could do it’ – Sanjaya
Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage sees the achievement of 400m differently-abled Paralympic runner Pradeep Sanjaya’s achievement as unique.Commenting Sanjaya’s Bronze winning effort, the Minister said “Even the normal athletes who took part in the main games did not enjoy such success. As soon as the elections are over I am hoping to get Sanjaya down to Colombo and discuss a programme about his future.”
Pradep Sanjaya (Right) with God Medallist Gunther Matzinger of Austria (Center) and Yohanson Nascimento of Brazil (Left).
However the Minister also started that not only those injured personnel from the armed forces, but, he also hopes to have former members of rebel groups who are now injured taking part in various differently-abled games. Sanjaya won the bronze medal with a time of 49:28 while Austrian Gunther Matzinger (48:25) and Yohanson Nascimento of Brazil (49:21) won the gold and the silver respectively. It was also reported that the Minister is also planning to spend Rs.5 million on Sanjaya’s immediate needs and also a house for him. Besides the Minister has also given instructions to the Sports Ministry Officials to organize a fitting reception for the athlete upon his return to the island. This is the first Paralympic medal that Sri Lanka has won since they started taking part at the games since 1996.
It is also speculated that Sanjaya who is now employed as a Lance Corporal of the Sinha regiment would be promoted. Sanjaya was hit by a Tiger Mortar while on operation in Kilinochchi and lost use of the left arm. Now married and a father of a child, Sanjaya was born in the Mirigama area and has three other siblings. Speaking to the Sunday Times on his achievement Sanjaya said that it all started when he won the ‘gold’ medal at the “Paraasia” games in China in 2010. he said that win gave him a lot of courage. Sanjaya continued “This time in London, when I won the first round I really wanted achieve something. Then in the final when it came to the last one hundred metres I knew that I may be able make it. I gave it a final burst and I knew I went past the competitor from Cyprus at the same time it was the end of the race and the digital clock was announcing that I had won the Bronze medal. I really felt great”.
One hundred and sixty-six countries took part in the Paralympic segment of the London Olympics and Sri Lanka which won the solitary Bronze was placed at the 69th place. India was the only other SAARC region country to win a medal at the Paralympic London this time. The Lankan team will return to the island on Wednesday.
Follow @timesonlinelk
Related Posts:
Seeking glory the wrong way“Thaaththa,” Bindu Udagedera asked, “isn’t it time for the Olympics again?” “Yes, it is,” Bindu’s father Percy said, “but I’m afraid ...
China’s Yi bags air rifle title for Games’ first goldDuncan White