By : Nalin Jayetileke
Sri Lanka’s javelin thrower Dinesh Priyantha Herath won the island’s first gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, setting a new world record.
Herath had previously won a bronze for the same event in 2016 at the Rio Paralympic Games and this becomes Sri Lanka’s first ever gold medal at a Paralympics event. His throw of 67.79 meters and incidentally is a World Record in men’s F46 javelin throw category.
Herath served the Sri Lanka Army during the island’s civil war against the Tiger terrorist, war which devastated the county for 3 decades and was wounded in action. After 4 years of rehabilitation and determination Herat was able to take up the sports and mad his way to win the first Good medal for his country in ant Olympics. What a privilege and honor he has brought to his country, Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka has so far has won two bronze medals at previous Paralympic games. The first was at the 2012 London Paralympic games for the men’s 400 meters (T46 category) by Pradeep Sanjaya.
Thesundayred.lk and its news team congratulates Dinesh for his achievement and the honor he has brought to Sri Lanka and wish him all success in all his future endeavors!
