Rumesh Tharanga Delivers 8th-Best Javelin Throw in the World with Historic Diamond League Performance

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga delivered a historic performance at the Rome Diamond League 2026, recording the highest achievement ever by a Sri Lankan athlete in a Diamond League event.

He clinched the men’s javelin throw title with a massive throw of 92.62 metres, setting multiple records including a new tournament record and a new Sri Lankan national record.

With this performance, Tharanga broke the previous Diamond League record of 90.34 metres set in 2006 by Andreas Thorkildsen. 

The throw also elevated him to 8th best javelin thrower of all-time, while making him the second-best Asian javelin thrower in history. 

It is also the best performance in the men’s javelin throw event over the past four years and the top mark recorded this season. 

Tharanga also surpassed his own national record of 89.37 metres, setting a new benchmark for Sri Lankan athletics on the world stage.

The world record in men’s javelin stands at 98.48 metres.

Tharanga is currently ranked 5th in the world rankings.