Nine Sri Lankan para athletes are taking part in the 4th Indian open National Para Athletic Championship held in Bangalore, India. The two-day event started yesterday.
Paralympic bronze medal winner of the Javelin throw(F- 44) Samitha Dulan is the key member of the Sri Lankan team. The event was scheduled to be held yesterday and today (18,19) in Bangalore, Karnataka. The event was conducted by the Paralympic Committee of India which is providing food and accommodations and Sri Lankan Sports Ministry provided air tickets to the Sri Lanka team.
This is going to be a good opportunity for Samitha Dulan to establish a new World Record at the Javelin throw event (F-44).
Earlier, Samitha Dulan the Paralympic bronze medal winner came to the limelight at the National Para Athletic Championship held at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo last month.
Samitha Dulan set up a new World Record in the F-44 Javelin throw event with a 66.60m throw at the National Para Athletic Championship in Colombo last month.
Samitha Dulan Kodituwakku from Sri Lanka Army hails from Deniyaya won the bronze medal at the last Tokyo Paralympics with a distance of 65.61m while he was able to improve his distance at the National Championship erasing the previous record of this event held by Australian Micheal Burian with a distance of 66.29m.
National Paralympic Committee (NPC) headed by Lt. Colonel Deepal Herath said NPC made a great effort to take part in the Indian open National Paralympic Athletic Championship while Sports Ministry gave good support to get visas.
However, the world Para athletic body pointed out that Samitha Dulan’s achievement couldn’t be recognized as National Para Athletic Championship is not considered by the World Para Athletic Federation and Dulan is very keen to take part in this Indian meet.
This Indian Open National Para Athletic Championship was recognized by the World Para Athletic body. If Dulan will achieve the World Record mark it will be considered by the world Para body.
Meanwhile, Paralympic Javelin Throw gold medallist Dinesh Priyantha Herath (67.79m ) in the F-46 event did not take part in this meet yesterday due to injury while Commonwealth Games silver medalist (Discus throw) Palitha Bandara did not take part in this Indian meet as he is rested after the Commonwealth Games said National Paralympic Committee President Lt Colonel Deepal Herath who is the Manager of the Sri Lankan team for Bangalore.
Kumudu Priyanka the Paralympic lady athlete also with the Sri Lanka team while Anil Jayalath, Buddhika Indrapala (long jump and 100m sprinters) are also among the nine-member team.
Sri Lanka team for the Indian Open National Para athletic Championship:
Samitha Dulan javelin throw (F-44), Nuwan Indika long jump, 100m (T44), Buddika Indrapala 100m, long jump (F42), Anil Jayalath 100m, long jump (T42), Saman Subasingha 400m,100m(T47), Pradeep Somasiri 1500m (T46), Kumudu Priyanka 100m, long jump (T46), Thisara Jayasingha shot put(F56), Janani 100m, long jump (T 47).
by Daily News Sri Lanka
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