Sri Lankans on final mission at World Para Athletics Championship

By Hishan Welmilla in Dubai

Two Sri Lankans are set to compete today and tomorrow at the World Para Athletics Championship, which continued for a sixth day at the Dubai Club for People of Determination Stadium in Dubai.

Nuwan Indika will be in action today in the Men’s Long Jump T44/T64 event which will start at 8.20 p.m. Sri Lankan time. Indika’s best distance in this event is 6.04 m.

Buddika Indrapala will take part in the Men’s High Jump T42/T63 finals, scheduled for tomorrow at 8.20 p.m. Sri Lankan time. Indrapala has recorded a personal best of 1.55 m in this event. 

The Sri Lankan camp has had to satisfy itself with one silver medal so far in the championship. Dinesh Priyantha Hearth earned this recognition in the Men’s Javelin Throw F46 event. Sri Lanka is placed 52nd overall out of a total of 120 countries.

Three Sri Lankan athletes were also able to improve their performances in their respective events by recording personal bests.

Kumudu Priyanka achieved her personal best in the Women’s Long Jump T47 event by recording 4.51 m in the finals. A.G. Chuladasa recorded a personal best of 12.66 seconds in the first heat of the Men’s 100 m T64. Meanwhile, Amila Prashan was also able to record a personal best in the Men’s High Jump T64.

“So far we are happy with the performance of our athletes as we were able to win one silver medal which would have been gold. It’s good to see three athletes able to improve their standards by achieving personal bests,” said Lt. Col Deepal Herath, who is the Manager of the Sri Lankan contingent.

China continues to lead the overall medals tally, with 11 golds at the end of the sixth day, with Ukraine and Brazil following in its wake in second and third position respectively.

China have dominated the medals table since Doha 2015 (41 golds), followed by London 2017 (30 golds).