For Gamage Nuwan Indika Maththaka from Sri Lanka, winning the men's 100m T44 title with a new Asian Para Games record of 11.63 seconds is a golden dream come true and a message of hope to potential para athletes.

"To people who can see us in the event, I just want to tell them: 'Don't just sit back and think you cannot do the same thing. You can! Even with the impairments of our bodies, we still have huge potential to become future athletes'," Maththaka told Asiad Daily.

"And here in Hangzhou, I'm very happy that I managed to adjust myself to the new environment and that I managed to win first place."

Maththaka had an accident affecting his right ankle, and was inspired to take to the track in 2009 after watching TV broadcasts of para sports events. Now, he just wants to do the same through his performances in front of the cameras at the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou.

"I was inspired by watching the actions of those role models on the television. And then I asked the opinion of my doctor who said I could have a chance at competing in the athletics that I'm interested in," said Maththaka.

So, Maththaka started his para sports career and, at the beginning, it was not easy. He said that the defeats and injuries were all challenges he needed to face, and admitted the thought of giving up did pop into his head.

"During those tough times, I just recalled those para athletes who inspired me. I just went through the images of their training and competition in my mind. That's how I kept motivated and kept pushing myself to go further," Maththaka added.

Before Hangzhou, Maththaka competed at the 2018 Asian Para Games in Jakarta where he finished fourth in the men's 100m T44/62/64 and pocketed a silver in the men's long jump T44/62/64.

"The mindset is very important. When you have a strong mindset, you can go much further and become much stronger," he added.

One of Maththaka's teammates, teenage swimmer Galina Yapa Appuhamilage Basnayake, is competing at her first Asian Para Games and also wants to become an example to other people with impairments.

"There are so many opportunities, just don't let the impairments stop you. The advanced technology is more widely available and can help people like us. You just need to take your first step and keep going," she said.