by Hishan Welmilla. New Delhi, India – September 29, 2025
Sri Lanka’s hopes on the second day of the World Para Athletics Championship rest firmly on the shoulders of sprinter Indika Gamage, the nation’s lone representative in today’s events. Gamage will line up in the second heat of the T44 men’s 100 metres, an intensely competitive sprint that draws some of the fastest para athletes from around the globe.
The 28-year-old sprinter enters the blocks carrying both experience and ambition. His personal best of 11.45 seconds stands as a benchmark he aims to match—or even surpass—on the New Delhi track. With heats scheduled for the evening session, Gamage has spent the past few days acclimatizing to the humid conditions and fine-tuning his explosive start, a key factor in short sprints where fractions of a second separate finalists from the rest.
Sri Lanka’s para athletics contingent has already shown promise in the championship’s opening day, and Gamage’s appearance provides another opportunity to showcase the island’s growing talent in international para sport. “Representing my country on a world stage is an honour,” he said during a brief training break. “My goal is to stay focused, execute my race plan, and give everything I have.”
The T44 classification includes athletes with a single below-knee amputation or comparable impairment, demanding both strength and precise technique. Advancing from the heat will require a near-perfect run against a field expected to push well under the 12-second mark.
Sri Lankan supporters at home and in New Delhi will be watching closely as Indika Gamage takes to the track, carrying the nation’s flag and hopes for another inspiring performance at the 2025 World Para Athletics Championship.
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