Two Para athletes back home with bronze medals-by Dhammika Ratnaweera

Para athletes who won two bronze medals were warmly welcomed at the Katunayake Airport yesterday. Here Two Bronze medalists Samitha Dulan, Dinesh Priyantha, along with athlete Pradeep Somasiri and NPC President Lt Colonel Deepal Herath, Sports Ministry project officer Gamini Costa and other officials after the welcome ceremony. (Pix courtesy Sport Ministry media)

Two Sri Lanka Para athletes Dinesh Priyantha Herath and Samitha Dulan Kodituwakku bagged bronze medal each at the World Para Athletic Championship held in Olympic Stadium In Paris, France and returned home yesterday. A simple welcome ceremony was organised by the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) at the Katunayake Airport.

Both Samitha Dulan and Dinesh Priyantha were competed at Javelin throw events to take bronze medals and these two Para athletes were highlighted at last Paralympic games in Tokyo as Samitha Dulan took a bronze and Dinesh Priyantha Herath won a gold with a new World Record. This was Dinesh Priyantha’s third world Athletic Championship medal. Earlier he won medals at 2017 and 2019 World Championships.

Samitha Dulan finished with third place while he had thrown 64.06 m to win bronze at Javelin throw F-64 event.

In fact Dinesh Priyantha Herath was expected gold in his Javelin throw F- 46 event but unfortunately he was injured at the hotel before the event and his right leg injury directly affected for the event. “I played uncomfortably over an ankle related injury and missed gold and silver by a gap of 3cms,” said Dinesh Priyantha.

Dinesh did his event with an injury finally satisfied with bronze which he never expected with his current form.

“I was expected gold medal but unfortunately I felt at Hotel and wounded. But my determination was very high and competed my event. Finally I had to be satisfied with bronze. If I couldn’t get injured I had a chance to grab gold, said Paralympic gold medalist.

Lt Colonel Deepal Herath the President of NPC said; my three Para athletes are really performed well but very unfortunate that Dinesh Priyantha Herath missed a gold. Especially Pradeep Somasiri who was competed 1500m finished with better timing and he also has to get direct qualification for next Paralympic Games in this same Olympic Stadium in France, added NPC Chairmen.

“NPC has clear vision to get more medals and these days we are targeting more direct qualification for next Paralympic Games in France. Samitha, Dinesh are happy about their performance apart from accident at team Hotel. Dinesh Priyantha is in good form while new athlete Paradeep Somasiri coached by Sajith Jayalal came back strongly and that was good sign. In 2012 London Paralympic Pradeep Sanjaya created history to take first Paralympic bronze medal at 400m while Dinesh Priyantha and Samitha Dulan with medals at Tokyo Paralympic in 2020 and now we are more focused about 2024 Paralympic,” said NPC Chairmen. We have good preparation criteria to focus on Paralympic games while all Paralympic games pool players are continuing their training, said NPC chairman Herath.

Three Para athletes with two coaches Sajith Jayalal and Pradeep Nishantha the coach of both Javelin throwers Samitha and Dinesh warmly welcomed by NPC officials at the Airport yesterday.

Meanwhile Sports Ministry Sports Director General Dr Shemal Fernando said Sports Ministry has plan to give cash awards for the medal winners at the recently concluded Asian Athletic Championship, World Para Athletic Championship and Commonwealth Weight Lifting Championship.