Paralympian Amara Indumathi eyes swansong in Tokyo
Amara Indumathi aiming to end her career on a high (File pic)
As the countdown begins for the Tokyo Paralympics this year, Sri Lanka will be buoyed by the performance of its athletes during the World Para Grand Prix that was held in Dubai.
Six Sri Lankan athletes participated and won six medals (three silver and three bronze).
Among the medal winners, Amara Indumathi the first female Para athlete to represent Sri Lanka at the Paralympics, has ambitions of winning medals when she participates in her third and final Paralympic event before she bids farewell to her 15-year illustrious career as a para athlete.
Hailing from Moneragala in the Uva Province, she had to overcome several challenges early in life coming from an underprivileged family background. She took up athletics as a sport at the age of 12. Her father had been the main source of inspiration for Indumathi.
Born without her left forearm, despite her disability she excelled in her studies. She never gave up with her school mates and teachers being helpful at all times.
During her school days at Mariarawa Maha Vidyalaya in Monaragala, where she studied up to Ordinary Level, Indumathi tasted success in All Island competitions where she had to compete with normal athletes.
Despite being helpful her mother was concerned about Indumathi’s future but her father believed that his daughter had a bright future in her abilities as an athlete.
In 2003 Amara’s life took a turn when she met Mr Premadasa Dissanayake who is the president of Sri Lanka Foundation for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled (SLFRD) at a workshop in Monaragala. After revealing her willingness to do an occupation, Mr Premadasa had offered her a job opportunity in Colombo. Although her mother was reluctant to keep her away from home, Indumathi’s father stood firm and believed that it would be a great opportunity. Eventually she was fortunate to be an employee in Rehab Lanka – SLFRD. There she was employed in the sewing industry and being a quick learner and a hard worker, she was able to showcase her competency in sewing.
In 2004 she was fortunate to make her comeback as a para athlete although she had given priority to her occupation. Mr Premadasa had to convince her to take part in the Para National Championship where she won three gold medals. From there onwards she was determined to make her country proud.
Her commitment was rewarded when she was able to represent the country in an international event for the first time when she participated in the Asia-Pacific Games that was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2006 where she won a bronze medal. Indumathi continued to represent Sri Lanka in several international Para athletic meets.
In 2008 she joined MAS Slimline who provided her sponsorship and employment till now.
During that time she participated in Para Asian Games in China in 2010. Even though she couldn’t win medals it was a great learning curve for young Indumathi.
The year 2012 was a memorable for her. She became the first female para athlete to represent her country at the Paralympics in London.
“For an athlete representing their country at the Olympics is the ultimate dream. Even though I didn’t win medals, participating in a competition such as the Paralympics is one of the memorable moments which I will cherish forever,” she recalled during an interview with the Sunday Times.
Leading up to the London Paralympics, she participated in the Asian Championship meet in Malaysia and won three gold medals in the 100m, 200m and long jump events.
She was determined to bring glory at the 2014 Incheon Para Asian Games in South Korea. In her victorious campaign she bagged one bronze medal in the 200 m event and the silver medal in the long jump category.
The year 2016 may be considered as her most successful. She participated in several international championships including Asia Oceania where she became the champion winning two gold and one silver medal.
Indumathi qualified for the Rio Paralympics in the 400m event, becoming fifth in the world ranking.
In 2018, Indumathi made history when she was awarded the gold medal at the Asian Para Games held in Jakarta after Uzbekistan long jumper Abdullaeya Kamolakhon was tested positive for doping.
She was also awarded Presidential award for being the best female para athlete for three consecutive years from 2016 to 2018.
Indumathi has won 14 international medals, with the gold medal that she won during the 2018 Para Asian games in Jakarta is considered as her best achievement in her career.
The champion para athlete was pleased about the current system in para sports which provides the foundation for the future generation of athletes islandwide to flourish on the world stage. She believes that the athletes should be able to get the best out of the facilities that they are being provided.
She also commended the efforts of the sports minister and the officials of the sports ministry for uplifting para sports in the country.
“It’s been a wonderful journey. I am proud of what I have achieved during these 15 years. Especially I would like to thank my husband for arranging to get an artificial limb before the event in Dubai that enabled me to have a successful campaign. Not forgetting all my coaches including Mr. Opanayake, Mr. Chaminda Sampath Weerasinghe, Mr. Janaka Nishantha, Mr. Harjaa Ratnayake, Mr. Nalinda Senerath and Mr. Vimukthi Soysa and family members. Also I would like to pay my gratitude to Mr. Premadasa Disanayake (Rehab Lanka) and my sponsor MAS Holdings,” she said.
After her success in Dubai, Indumathi will now be hoping that she will be able to qualify for the Tokyo Paralympics and make her country proud again.