Archer Bandara eyeing medal at Tokyo Para Games

On Aug 17, 2021

Sampath Bandara, who will compete in the archery events, is confident of winning a medal at the Tokyo Paralympics, which begins later this month.

“Getting the chance to represent the country in two successive Para Games is a great achievement and my aim is to win a medal,” the 32-year-old told the Daily News yesterday.

“At the 2016 Rio Paralympics I finished in 12th place in the ranking event and was placed 16th in the medal event but this time I am confident of winning a medal,” the corporal from the Army Light Infantry Regiment revealed. Bandara, who hails from Kosgolla, Matale lost his right leg below the knee during the war in 2019, after stepping on anti-personnel mine. He booked his flight to Tokyo after winning the Gold Medal in the 2019 Asian Archery Championships in Bangkok, Thailand. “Archery sport equipment is very expensive and I have to thank the Sports Ministry and the Sri Lanka Army for providing facilities for this sport,” he added.

Major General Rajeewa Wickramasinghe will accompany Bandara as the coach.