Dinesh Wins Gold With a World Record
War veteran Dinesh Priyantha Herath scripted history by taking Sri Lanka to a level where no athlete has gone before, as he broke the world record and won the gold medal of the Javelin Throw F44 category at the Tokyo Paralympics 2020 . He threw a distance of 67.79m, renewing the record set by India’s Devendra Jhajharia of 63.97m, in his third attempt, and Devendra the 2016 Rio Gold medalist was beaten into second place by Dinesh, who was the bronze medalist in 2016.
Following a remarkable journey from soldier to sporting glory, the Army veteran, flag bearer, and captain of the nine-member Sri Lankan contingent for the 2020 Paralympics, Herath adds this latest Gold to a string of medals, including winning a Bronze Medal at the 2016 Rio Paralympics and the 2017 World Para Athletics Championship London, a Gold Medal at the 2018 Asian Para Games Jakarta, and a Silver Medal at the 2019 World Para Athletics Championship Dubai. “I am very happy, as my biggest dream has come true.
I have no words to express my happiness. This is a great example for athletes with a range of disabilities in Sri Lanka,” said Dinesh after his historic moment. The 35-year-old father of three thanked everyone who supported his journey, with special thanks to his wife who looks after the three children while he focuses on sports, The Army, Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa who started a monthly payment scheme for Para athletes of Rs 100,000, and his coach Pradeep Nishantha, former National champion and current Assistant Head of Sports at Gateway International School. “I was ready for this challenge. The climate here in Tokyo and Sri Lanka is pretty much the same and I was clearly in the zone from the start.
I just enjoyed the weather out here today as it was like I was training in my backyard,” said a jubilant Herath, who did not let go of the Lankan flag for even a second and was seen carrying it around all through to the changing room.
In 2004, at the age of 18, Dinesh decided to join the Sri Lanka Army (3rd Gajaba Regiment) to earn a living to look after his family, and also protect the country from terrorism. 2008 was an unforgettable year for Dinesh as It was the year he almost lost his life, but it gave him new hope and a completely different life all together.
The war was at its peak in 2008, and during the final stages of the humanitarian operations Dinesh got wounded on 16 December in Kilinochchi. Three bullets fired from a T-56 hit his left arm and the pain the 22-year-old youth had to bear would definitely have been unbearable. The next four years of his youthful life was spent at the Ragama ‘Ranaviru Sevana’, getting treated and regaining confidence to start another new chapter in his life.
In 2012 the high-ranking officials of the Gajaba Regiment encouraged him to take up sports, and insisted that Dinesh should master the javelin throw. After grabbing the javelin with his right hand, he became a legend in the sporting arena, and a star was born at the age of 26. “I wasn’t involved in sports as a kid. After I got injured and after my rehab was over the senior officials of the Gajaba Regiment encouraged me to take up the sport.
Considering my height and my body structure they thought that this would be the most suitable sport for me. In my first Meet – Army Inter Regiment Para Games – I clinched the Gold medal establishing a new Sri Lanka record and the rest is history,” said Dinesh earlier during an interview with Ceylon Today. Dinesh married Isanka Maduwanthi in 2008, four months prior to being injured, and since then she has been his strength, providing him support.
Together the duo is blessed with three beautiful kids. The eldest son is Pramadha Menuwan, daughter Mithuni Warshana, and the youngest son Sasdula Chanulya. His mother and his family have been his greatest assets, helping him to come a long way in sports and personal life.
Dinesh Promoted
Meanwhile, Army Commander promoted Tokyo Paralympic Gold Medallist Corporal Dinesh Priyantha Herath from Sergeant to Warrant Officer 1 with the approval of the President and the Defence Secretary.
Bronze for Dulan
While Dinesh was receiving a medal at one end, one of his training partners – Dulan Kodithuwakku – won the bronze medal in the men’s javelin Throw F64-F44 event with a personal best of 65.61m. The Gold medal was won by India’s Sumith Sumith with a world record throw of 68.55m, while the Silver was won by Burian Michal of Australia with 66.29m.
Gateway Coach Nishantha over the moon
Assistant Head of Sports of Gateway International school, Coach Pradeep Nishantha, was over the moon as he is behind the success of both these athletes whom he has been training for years now.
“This achievement will be written In golden letters in Sri Lankan sporting history,” said Nishantha about Dinesh’s achievement in the morning while preparing for next javelin throw competition where Dulan, who won bronze and Chaminda Sampath, who placed 9th, were set to compete.
“He sacrificed a lot during the last few months to get to the position where he is now. He has been throwing in the 64-65m range during training in the last few months, hence had high hopes about the gold medal during the Paralympics,” said Nishantha.
He also thanked various others, with special thanks to Minister Namal Rajapaksa who has been paying Rs 100,000 each for athletes and Rs 50,000 each for coaches monthly from the High Performance Programme of the Sports Ministry.
The proud sponsor of the National Paralympics Committee for over two decades and the Sri Lanka Army Para Games Committee since 2015, Sri Lanka’s premier connectivity provider, Dialog Axiata PLC, powered the 9-member strong contingent to Toky
