Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga Reaches Career-High World No. 2

"Became one of the youngest athletes competing at the top end of global rankings"

Rumesh Tharanga has reached a major milestone in his career. He moved up to World No. 2 in the men’s javelin rankings and now stands among the elite athletes in the sport.

Currently, he holds 1333 ranking points. He sits just behind Germany’s Julian Weber, who leads with 1360 points. Meanwhile, Anderson Peters of Grenada is ranked third with 1326 points.

His rise comes after a standout performance at the Rome Diamond League 2026. There, he delivered a massive throw of 92.62 metres to win the event. As a result, he set a new Sri Lankan national record and a meeting record. The throw also became the world-leading mark of the season.

In addition, the 92m-plus effort is considered one of the best performances in modern javelin. He defeated several top international competitors in a highly competitive field.

At just 23 years old, Tharanga has progressed rapidly in world athletics. He has moved into the top tier of the sport within a short time. Moreover, his consistency and record-breaking form have made him a strong contender for upcoming global competitions.

Overall, this achievement marks a historic moment for Sri Lankan athletics. It places the country firmly on the global map in men’s javelin.