Dinesh Priyantha wins Javelin bronze at Rio Paralympics

14 September 2016 10:07 am

Sri Lankan javelin thrower Dinesh Priyantha Herath secured the country’s first medal- a bronze in men’s javelin throw F46 final at the Rio Paralympics today.

The 30-year-old Sri Lankan thrower cleared a distance of 58.23 metres -a personal best mark to win the medal.

Indian athlete Devandra Jhahharia won the gold with a new world record mark of 63.97 metres and Guo Chunliang of China secured the silver with a distance of 59.93 metres.

Dinesh is attached to the Sports Club of Gajaba Regiment of the Sri Lankan Army.

Hailing from Ipologama, Kagama, Dinesh attended Kagama Dathusena Maha Vidyalaya and served in Sri Lanka Army before retiring.