With the onset of summer, the ground is set for para contestants to engage in fierce battles to blossom their dreams into reality. Since the first appearance of Sri Lanka at the Paralympics in 1996, Sri Lankans have conquered four medals in total including one gold medal and three bronze medals. Our athletes are ready to make history once again at the 2024 Paralympics, proudly representing our homeland.
Even though in 1996 Sri Lanka made its debut in the Paralympics with a single athlete (Kalika Pathirana) in track and field, he was unable to mark his name on the champions' board. Anyhow, under the precise advice of the coaches and the dedication of the athletes, Sri Lanka won the first Paralympic medal through Pradeep Sanjaya who secured the bronze medal in men's 400m T46 at 2012 Summer Paralympics in London. It didn't stop there. In 2016, Dinesh Priyantha Herath took 3rd place in the men's javelin throw F46 final in Rio, adding another medal for Sri Lanka's Paralympic history.
Dinesh embarked on his journey from there and decorated the motherland with gold in men's javelin throw F46 at the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo. His exceptional performance set a new world record of 67.79m. He also served as the country's flag bearer during the opening ceremony. Out of nine athletes in that squad, Dulan Kodithuwakku secured the bronze in men's javelin throw F64 with a distance of 65.61m.
Walking in the same pathway, eight athletes have qualified for Paris Paralympics 2024 as the ambassadors of Sri Lanka. Naveed Raheem will contest in men's 400m freestyle(S9), making history as the first Sri Lankan para swimmer in two decades to reach this milestone since Athens 2004. This 24-year-old young swimmer won the bronze medal in Para Asian Games 2023 in China, showcasing his ability for a championship.
Dulan Kodithuwakku who is a former Paralympic medalist in 2020, is going to represent the country in javelin throw F44 at Paris Paralympics 2024 raising new expectations in spectators. He set a new world record at World Para Athletics Championship 2024 in F44 after clearing 69.46m in the first attempt at the final. It depicts the potential he has for another medal at Paralympics 2024.
Well known Sri Lankan para sprinter and long jumper, Nuwan Indika was qualified for Paralympics 2024 in T44 100m category. He claimed a gold medal in the men's 100m T44 at 2022 Asian Para Games with a new Asian para record clocking a time of 11.63 seconds. In addition, another silver medal was conquered by him in men's 100m T44 at World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2023. Extending beyond a single sport, he has proved his physical capability by prevailing two silver medals in long jump at Asian Para Games.
Competing in the men’s 1500m T46 category, Pradeep Somasiri has conquered his place in Paralympics with his exceptional talents which was shown at prestigious global sporting events. His silver medal at Grand Prix Marrakech 2024 has ignited our hopes for another dazzling display at the world stage where a promise of another Para medal shines even brighter.
Here is another champion of track and field, Palitha Bandara who showcases his remarkable mastery at almost all the prominent international sports championships in men’s short put. Usually, he has alternated between bronze and silver medals, highlighting his consistency on the international stage. Indicating his latest achievement of a bronze medal at the Kobe World Para Athletics Championships in Japan 2024, we hope he will break the pattern and claim the gold medal this time.
Anil Prasanna Jayalath who was the flagbearer at the opening ceremony in Summer Paralympics 2016, is another ambassador of Sri Lanka this year in men’s 100m T42. With the gained expertise through the years, he has won nearly 10 medals on the world stage including gold medals. He holds the Asian record in 200m with the timing of 25.12s in Dubai 2016. His medals are proof of his capability to be a medalist at the Paralympics 2024.
Our lions have exceeded the boundaries, mastering more than one game. Suresh Dharmasena exemplifies it, competing in wheelchair tennis category at the Paralympics 2024. He was the bronze medalist of the 2018 Jakarta Asian Para Games in Indonesia and an experienced Para athlete in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics Games. His expertise could play a pivotal role in achieving victory.
Moreover, our squad is honoured to have a female athlete, Janani Dananjana, whose role will shine in women’s long jump T47 in the 2024 Paralympics. She was the gold medalist at 2024 Grand Prix Marrakech in 100m T37/T46/T47 categories. With her unwavering determination and strong potential, we have a high expectation for a medal from our one and only female ambassador.
Passing through thousands of obstacles either physically or mentally, the contestants have achieved this jubilant milestone only because of their utmost persistence and indomitable courage. It's not as easy as it seems, but not an unattainable goal. We look forward to witnessing their phenomenal execution of talents, celebrating their achievements on the world stage. The journey to the game is inspiring and the best is yet to come.
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