Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage competes in the men’s javelin throw during the Doha Diamond League competition in Doha. PIC: XINHUA
Doha, Qatar: Sri Lankan javelin throw sensation Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage captured his maiden Doha Diamond League victory in emphatic fashion on Friday evening with a monumental 88.68m mark, and wasted no time looking ahead to claiming back-to-back global championships medals.
After becoming the eighth best in the history of his event, the 23-year-old is aiming to claim his country’s first gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in 20 years, next month.
Pathirage’s victory at the Suheim Bin Hamad Stadium came amidst challenges from four former and current world champions, India’s Neeraj Chopra, Grenada’s Anderson Peters, kenya’s Julius Yego and Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad & Tobago.
While Pathirage recovered from a slow start to deliver his winning mark in his fourth attempt, two-time world champion Peters finished second with a 86.38m mark to continue his brilliant form in the Diamond League season.
American rival Curtis Thompson (85.99m) completed the top three as India’s Olympic hero Chopra, returning to action following a long injury lay-off, booked his place in the Commonwealth Games with an impressive 85.69m throw, finishing in fourth spot.
Pathirage has been enjoying the form of his life.
Doha represented just the latest step in a blistering three-week spell in which he produced a massive 92.62m national record at the Diamond league Rome meeting - which was also the 2026 world lead and a meeting record. A week later, he captured an 86.57m triumph at the Ostrava Golden Spike meeting on the night before he took the flight to Doha.
This was his fourth competition in that span and he admitted that the fatigue made an impact to his effort.
“I knew if I threw more than 88 meters here tonight that I would secure the gold, so I’m incredibly happy,” Pathirage told The Peninsula following his win.
“I always dreamed of competing in Doha and earning a place on this Diamond League meeting, it’s unbelievable to be the first Sri Lankan athlete here,” Pathirage, who was cheered by a sizable crowd who were waving his country flag, said.
His coach, Tony Prasanna revealed that a short spell of rest will follow back in Sri Lanka before preparations ramp up for the July 23 - August 2 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Prasanna told The Peninsula that the demanding series of competitions in May and June had inevitably taken a physical toll.
Pathirage also firmly declared his intention to surpass the Asian record (92.97m), held by Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, and also the Asian Games record of 89.15m, set by China’s Zhao Qinggang in 2014.
His throw in Rome was just 35 centimeters shy of the Asian record, and his consistent performances have shown the Asian Games record is within touching distance.
“Last year, a typical throw for me was in the 85m range, so I’ve made a massive leap this season,” he said.
“For the Asian Games, my goal is to break the 90-meter barrier and win the gold. Now the priority is to rewrite the Asian record book,” Pathirage said.
“Next month, I have the Commonwealth Games, and my absolute target there is to take home the gold medal as well.”
While Pathirage and Chopra already in line for a scintillating duel in Glasgow, the prospect of seeing them competing against each other again on the grand stage will be a treat to watch.
Coach Prasanna opined that Pathirage can go for the gold both in Glasgow and Nagoya
“He has participated in competitions alongside almost all of these athletes. I think Rumesh (Pathirage) can handle the pressure. I think he can deliver exceptional results,” Prasanna said.
