Sri Lankan Para Athlete Dinesh Priyantha Stripped of Silver Medal at 2024 World Para Athletic Championships

Sri Lankan para athlete Dinesh Priyantha Herath has been stripped of his silver medal in the Men's F-46 javelin throw event at the 2024 World Para Athletic Championships in Kobe, Japan. The decision came after a reclassification process deemed him ineligible for paralympic sports.

Priyantha, who finished second with an effort of 64.59m, faced disqualification following a protest lodged by India. The International Paralympic Committee upheld the protest, leading to Priyantha's reclassification and subsequent ineligibility.

In para sports, athletes are classified based on their physical abilities to ensure fair competition. The F-46 classification includes athletes with arm deficiency, impaired muscle power, or impaired passive range of motion, who compete while standing. The reclassification process involved a thorough review of Priyantha's eligibility, including video footage of his movements and throwing technique.

Colonel Deepal Herath, President of the National Paralympic Committee of Sri Lanka, stated that the reclassification team observed improvements in Priyantha's arm movement, which led to his disqualification. "He has no other category beyond F-46 and has been advised to explore the option of competing in para archery," said Colonel Herath.

The disqualification resulted in a reallocation of medals. Rinku Hooda of India, who originally finished third with an effort of 62.77m, was upgraded to the silver medal position. Ajeet Singh, also from India, who finished fourth with an effort of 62.11m, received the bronze medal.

This decision has significantly impacted India's medal tally at the championships, boosting it to 14 medals (5 gold, 5 silver, and 4 bronze), marking their best-ever performance. India's previous record was 10 medals (3 gold, 4 silver, and 3 bronze) achieved at the 2023 edition in Paris.

Dinesh Priyantha Herath has had a distinguished career, winning a gold medal at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2020 and a bronze medal at the Rio de Janeiro Paralympics in 2016. He has also claimed multiple medals at World Championships and Asian Para Games. Priyantha has been competing under the F-46 category since 2011 after being disabled by gunshots to his left arm during the Sri Lankan civil war.

The reclassification and disqualification of Priyantha mark the end of an era for the celebrated athlete. However, his contributions to para athletics remain significant, and he is now considering a future in para archery.

The 2024 World Para Athletic Championships in Kobe, Japan, have highlighted the importance of fair competition and stringent classification processes in para sports. As athletes and officials face these challenges, the commitment to integrity and inclusivity in sports remains paramount.

Key Takeaways

• Sri Lankan para athlete Dinesh Priyantha Herath stripped of silver medal in Men's F-46 javelin throw.
• Herath deemed ineligible after reclassification process due to improved arm movement.
• India's Rinku Hooda upgraded to silver, Ajeet Singh receives bronze medal.
• India's medal tally boosted to 14, marking their best-ever performance.
• Herath considering para archery after disqualification from para athletics.