Australian Burian denies Samitha Dulan silver lining on golden day for Sri Lanka
By A Special Correspondent
COLOMBO – On a golden day for Sri Lanka at the Tokyo Paralympics on Monday (30), where Dinesh Priyantha Herath won a historic gold in the Javelin F46, Samitha Dulan Kodituwakku added a bronze medal in the Men’s Javelin F44 event.
India’s S. Sumit clinched the gold medal throwing a distance of 68.55 metres in his fifth attempt while Australia’s M. Burian grabbed the silver with his final throw of 66.29m to pip Sri Lankan Kodituwakku whose best effort was 65.61m in his fourth attempt.
Both the Javelin F44 and F64 categories were held concurrently with another Sri Lankan Sampath Hettiarachchi finishing ninth out 10 starters with a best of 49.94m.
Kodituwakku, a gold medalist at the Asian Para Games, improved on his personal best of 57.1m to be in contention for a silver medal at one stage.
The 30-year-old Army Corporal threw a personal best 62.11m in his first attempt improving to 63.49m and 65.61m in his third and fourth attempts in the F44 class. That was before the Australian’s final throw of 66.29m forced Kodituwakku to settle for a bronze.
-ENCL