Sri Lankan para middle-distance runner Pradeep Somasiri brought pride to the nation by winning a bronze medal at the 12th World Para Athletics Championship 2025, held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, India.
The championship, which concluded today, featured nearly 200 para athletes, including medallists from the Paralympic Games, Para World Championships, and Asian Para Games, representing countries from across the globe.
Somasiri secured the bronze in the Men’s 1500m T46 final, finishing with an impressive time of 3 minutes 53.77 seconds, setting a new Asian Para Athletics record.
The gold medal went to independent para athlete Aleksandr Iaremchuk with a time of 3:53.26, while France’s Antoine Praud claimed silver, clocking 3:53.62.
This was the second bronze medal for the Sri Lankan team at the championship, which comprised five athletes — four men and one woman. Earlier, Nuwan Indika had won bronze in the Men’s T44 long jump event.
Somasiri’s achievement further strengthens Sri Lanka’s reputation in international para athletics and highlights the determination and skill of the nation’s differently-abled athletes.
