Sri Lanka’s javelin star Rumesh Tharanga has climbed to World No. 2 in the latest World Athletics rankings, marking a historic milestone for the country’s athletics.
The 23-year-old has enjoyed a breakthrough season on the international circuit, led by his record-breaking 92.62m throw at the Rome Diamond League. The effort set a new Sri Lankan national record, produced the longest javelin throw in the world this year, and made him the first athlete to surpass 90 metres in the 2026 season.
His Rome performance earned him global recognition, with the mark ranked as the eighth-best in javelin history and the second-best by an Asian athlete.
Tharanga has maintained strong form in Europe, winning gold at the Ostrava Golden Spike meet in the Czech Republic with a throw of 86.57m, further strengthening his position among the world’s elite.
His rise to World No. 2 is the highest-ever world ranking achieved by a Sri Lankan athlete in a specific athletics event and follows a series of consistent performances across major competitions.
With major international events ahead, Tharanga is now seen as a strong contender for global honours, raising hopes of Sri Lanka securing a long-awaited athletics medal at a world championship. (NewsWire)
