A medal apiece
Dinesh Priyantha, a medal hope at Tokyo, will also be the flag-bearer for Sri Lanka - File pic
As the world is getting ready to embrace the Tokyo Paralympics 2020 next week, a contingent of nine Sri Lankan para athletes left the country on August 20 in search of glory. They have been training intensely under the supervision of the National Paralympic Committee and the Ministry of Sports.
The focus is on javelin thrower Dinesh Priyantha–the Rio Paralympics bronze medalist in the F46 category. He cleared 58.23m in Rio and hoping to improve his performance this time in Tokyo. Herath will also be the flag bearer for Sri Lanka.
Sampath Hettiarachchi and Samitha Dulan will also be contesting in the javelin throw event.
Women athlete Kumudu Priyanka will become the second women athlete to represent Sri Lanka at the Paralympics after Amara Indumathi. Leading up to the Paralympics, Kumudu tasted success at the World Para Grand Prix held in Dubai in February, where she won the bronze medal in the long jump category. She hopes to make her country proud by winning a medal.
The Tokyo Paralympic will be a historic moment for wheelchair tennis player Suresh Ranjan Dharmasena. This will be the first time that a wheelchair tennis player represents Sri Lanka at the Paralympics.
According to International Tennis Federation (ITF) rankings, he is presently ranked 59th. Leading up to the main event in Tokyo, he had successfully completed his preparations, while performing considerably well at local tournaments, including winning the Sri Lanka Open and SSC Open titles.
The president of the National Paralympic Committee, Col. Deepal Herath praised Dharnasena for being able to represent his country in wheelchair tennis.
“As you know, wheelchair tennis is a sport that has fierce competition across the globe. Being able to represent Sri Lanka in a major sporting event such as the Paralympics is a great achievement,” he said.
Sampath Bandara will take part in archery while Palitha Bandara will take part in shot putt. Mahesh Jayakody will represent in rowing. Sprinter Saman Maduranga Subasinghe will take part in the 400m event.
On previous occasions they had to settle with one medal each. The Tokyo Paralympics will commence on August 24 to September 5.
| Sri Lankan Paralympic team for the Tokyo Games: Athletics: Dinesh Priyantha Herath (Captain, javelin throw F46), Samitha Dulan (Javelin throw F44), Palitha Bandara (Shot putt F42), Sampath Hettiarachchi (Javelin throw F64), Saman Maduranga Subasinghe (400m T47 ), Kumudu Priyanka (100m, long jump T45/46) Coaches: Pradeep Nishantha, Arjan Ratnayake Archery: Sampath Bandara Coach: Maj. Gen. RajeewaWickramasinghe Rowing: Mahesh Jayakody Coach: Lasantha Welikala Wheelchair tennis: RanjanDharmasena Coach: JagathWelikala | |