Sri Lankan tops F46 javelin podium
THE heat and humidity in Tokyo was tough for the athletes but a javelin thrower from Sri Lanka was loving it as he won a historic Paralympic gold.
Priyantha Herath, 32, recorded his best throw of 67.79m to set a new world record in the men’s F46 category and clinch his country’s maiden gold in the Paralympic Games last Monday (30).
“I was ready for this challenge and was training under the sun for months now,” Herath told the official Paralympics website. “The climate here in Tokyo and Sri Lanka is pretty much the same and I was in the zone from the start. I just enjoyed the weather as it was like I was training in my backyard.”
In this category, India’s Devendra Jhajharia was the favourite, who settled for the silver with his throw of 64.35, while his compatriot Sundar Singh Gurjar won the bronze medal in the same event with a throw of 64.01.
Herath, who severely injured his left arm during military action against the Tamil Tigers separatist group, took to para sport in 2014. But it was not enough to sustain his family and he had to rely on the pension from the army.
“Yes, my wife was very upset with me doing the sport. However, now she supports me. I have three kids and I can’t wait to go and see them. They will be thrilled to see me back with a gold,” said Herath, whose deep scars from three bullet wounds are evident on his left arm.
“It took four years to piece my hand together. However, javelin has given me everything. It has helped me get my life back together and this gold is the result of all the hard work I have put in,” Herath was quoted as saying.
Off the field, Herath and Jhajharia are good friends, but on the field they are fierce competitors.
He added: “We started together and have great respect for each other. It’s great to see the sport grow in Asia. There are so many kids now in the sport of javelin. There is a belief now that we can compete with the Europeans. You will see Asia will emerge as a superpower in javelin in the coming years.”