Coach Pradeep Nishantha and Dulan Kodithuwakku 

By Susil Premalal

Sri Lankan Para Athlete Samitha Dulan Kodithuwakku secured the Silver Medal with a new world record in the Men’s F44 - F64 javelin throw event of the 2024 Paris Paralympics Games at the Stade de France in France.
This was also the first medal for the Sri Lankan Paralympics Team, which includes six athletes, one swimmer and one wheelchair tennis player.
Kodithuwakku bettered his record of 64.06m set at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics Games by producing a fine effort of 67.03m to secure his second Paralympics Medal.
The 34-year-old former schoolboy of Deniyaya National School was in tremendous form as he produced a series of magnificent efforts: 63.14m, 63.61m, 55.01m, 63.73m, 67.03m and 64.38m during his six attempts.
Meanwhile, Sumit Antil defended his Gold Medal in this category with a throw of 70.59m, bettering his Paralympics Games record.
Sumit began with a throw of 69.11m to break his own Paralympics Games record of 68.55m from Tokyo 2020. He bettered the mark again with an attempt of 70.59m in the next round.
Australia’s Michal Buran took the Bronze Medal with 64.89m.
Kodithuwakku, coached by Pradeep Nishantha, has consistently performed at international events. His career took a new turn when he won a Bronze Medal in the javelin throw event at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.
He continued his success with a Bronze Medal at the 2023 Paris World Athletic Championships and a Silver Medal at the 2022 Asian Para Games.
In 2024, at the World Para Athletic Championship in Japan, Dulan won a Silver Medal in the F64 category.