SL confident of winning two medals at Tokyo Paralympics

By Susil Premalal

The National Paralympics Committee of Sri Lanka (NPCSL) is confident that they could win at least two medals at the Tokyo Paralympics Games, which will be held from August 24 to September 5 in Japan.

NPCSL President Lt. Colonel (retired) Deepal Herath, speaking to the Daily Mirror yesterday,  said that they have selected a nine-member contingent for the Tokyo Games and all athletes are currently at the top of the World Rankings.

“We can have hopes of winning a medal through all nine selected athletes, and we especially have a good chance of claiming a medal in the track and field events,” he stressed.

Sri Lanka won two bronze medals at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games through Pradeep Sanjaya and Dinesh Priyantha Herath respectively.

The Sri Lankan Paralympics contingent will leave for Japan on August 20 and will compete in athletics (6), archery (1), rowing (1) and wheelchair tennis (1). 

Javelin thrower Herath will be Sri Lanka’s flag-bearer at the Games, and the NPCSL is confident that all nine para-athletes will reach the final round of their respective events.