Rumesh Tharanga targets Commonwealth and Asian Games after Diamond League success

Rumesh Tharanga receives a warm welcome at the Bandaranaike International Airport following his successful European tour

By Susil Premalal

Sri Lanka’s star javelin thrower Rumesh Tharanga has set his sights on winning medals at the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the Asian Games in Nagoya after returning home from a highly successful international campaign.

Speaking upon his arrival in Sri Lanka on June 20, Tharanga said his immediate goal is to break existing Games records and secure podium finishes at both major events later this year. He has also qualified for the 2026 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, which will be held in September.

The 23-year-old athlete has enjoyed a remarkable season, winning six of the seven international competitions he has contested. His achievements include victories at the Doha Diamond League with a throw of 88.68 metres, the Rome Diamond League with a personal best and national record of 92.62 metres, and the Ostrava Golden Spike meet in the Czech Republic with a throw of 86.57 metres.

His outstanding performance in Rome not only shattered his previous Sri Lankan record of 89.37 metres but also secured Olympic qualification, established a new meet record and elevated him to second place in the latest world rankings for the men’s javelin throw.

Tharanga received a warm welcome at the Bandaranaike International Airport from officials of the Ministry of Sports, Sri Lanka Athletics, the National Olympic Committee, the Sri Lanka Air Force and sports fans.

A former student of Sri Palee College, Horana, and St. Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya, Tharanga initially excelled in school cricket before turning his attention to athletics.

He also created history by becoming the first Sri Lankan athlete to win a Diamond League event and has now claimed back-to-back victories on the prestigious circuit. His final Diamond League appearance of the season is scheduled for September 4-5 in Brussels, Belgium.

“I am in excellent physical and mental condition at the moment. If I continue to improve my performances, winning an Olympic medal in 2028 is not impossible,” Tharanga said.

Sri Lanka has won only two Olympic medals in its history, with Duncan White claiming silver in the men’s 400m hurdles at the 1948 London Olympics and Susanthika Jayasinghe winning silver in the women’s 200m at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.