Whew! It’s the New World Record!
GamePlan Today will talk about Dinesh Priyantha Herath of Sri Lanka.
He had set one new world record by winning gold in Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Men’s Javelin Throw. It was the F46 event as well.
He recorded a throw of 67.79m in his 3rd round. Devendra Jhajharia took silver & Sundar Singh Gurjar had bronze.
GamePlan Today’s Preview:
- Who is Dinesh Priyantha Herath?
- But do you know who he was?
- Worried about Injuries? Never!
- His Records
- 3 in 1 shot
- GamePlan Today Talks
Let us walk into the transformation of a war hero to winning gold.
Who is Dinesh Priyantha Herath?
Well! We have got some of the answers to this.
He is a 32-year-old javelin thrower now. He got the 1st ever gold medal for Sri Lanka. He broke the world record and spotlighted himself in every magazine.
But do you know who he was?
So, yeah! He was a war hero who sustained injuries in the enemy fire on 16th December 2008. It was when his country was warring against the LTTE terrorists in the Kilinochchi zone.
Joining the army in March 2004 as a recruit, he completed his fundamental training at Saliyapura.
Worried about Injuries? Never!
While serving the army, he had three gunshots wound in his left arm. These shots derailed his army career path. He was at the hospital for about four years.
Being a war hero, he always felt proud of his injuries. However, after sustaining in the enemy fire, he had impaired muscle power.
While in the hospital, he always thought of entering the sports world since he could not play in his childhood or during his army service.
Soon after his recovery, he took up Para Sports. Then he actively started to take part in the Para Athletic Training events organized by the army. We remember it was at GR Regimental HQ.
His Records:
Dinesh won a gold medal in the 2012 Javelin Throw. It was 52m in the Army Para Athletic Meet.
Then, in the same year, he had won a gold medal throwing 52.95m in Malaysia’s Para Athletic Meet.
In 2016 Rio, he had a bronze medal in the Paralympics. After that, in 2017, he won a silver medal in Germany’s Para Athletic Meet, which was a qualifier.
Again in 2017, he owned a silver medal in the World Para Athletic Meet held in London. He recorded 59.90 meters there.
In 2018, he had a new record winning a gold medal by throwing at 61.84m. It was the Asian Para Games, we hope.
Next, in 2019, he won silver in World Para Athletics Championship with 60.69m.
3 in 1 shot:
In this Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Dinesh had hit three shots in one stone.
First, he had claimed a gold medal.
Next is that he broke the world record.
And finally, he had won Sri Lanka’s 1st ever gold medal in the history of the Paralympics Games.
GamePlan Today Talks:
Nevertheless! Dinesh’s decision to take up the Para Athletics was not gone in vain. He stood on his track like a champion now and then.
Dinesh Priyantha Herath is one true Paralympian.
Follow our footsteps to dive deep into the sports world.