• The clock is ticking: Why supporting Rumesh Tharanga now is Lanka’s best bet to end the Olympic medal drought

Various stars have emerged from time to time to take Sri Lanka’s name to the international level in athletics.

Now we have another such star. Recently, a Sri Lankan star also managed to shine among the world’s strongest stars in the javelin throw event at the 20th World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan.

That rising star, who surpassed world champions and Olympic champions to win seventh place in the world, is Rumesh Tharanga, who is still a 22-year-old champ in the making.

Rumesh, who was able to showcase the highest performance by a Sri Lankan at a World Athletics Championships since Susanthika Jayasinghe in 2007, participated in his first World Athletics Championships this year.

Rumesh was also the youngest athlete in the final. The challenge in the final was so intense that Paris Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan and Budapest World Champion Neeraj Chopra of India were also there. 

In short, there was a line-up of javelin throw giants who had won eight Olympic medals, including three Olympic gold medals, as well as nine World Championship medals, including four World Championship gold medals.

On the other side, there was a crowd of no less than 57,000 spectators who filled the stadium. 

Rumesh was able to perform brilliantly despite experiencing all those experiences and pressures for the first time.

Rumesh spoke to The Daily Morning about his maiden World Championship experience. 

Following are excerpts from the interview:

Rumesh, congratulations on making it to the senior World Championship finals in Tokyo. This was your first senior global event. How did that feel compared to your previous competitions?

Thank you. It felt surreal, honestly. I’ve had World Championship experience before, but only at the junior level.

This was my first time competing in a senior-level tournament of this magnitude, the global senior level. The atmosphere was completely different.

You mentioned competing in front of a very large audience for the first time. How did that affect your performance, particularly in the early stages?

It definitely added a new dimension. It was my first time competing in front of such a large audience, and I won’t lie, I felt a bit of pressure in the qualifying rounds. That level of crowd and attention is something you have to learn to manage.

And what about the final round? Did the pressure continue to build, or did you manage to control your nerves?

Interestingly, going into the final round, I actually didn’t feel any pressure. Maybe making the final itself eased the initial tension.

While I couldn’t get a medal, I can confidently say I gave my best there. That was the ultimate goal for the day.

You’re a young athlete, having only transitioned to the senior level in the past two years. Many of your competitors in the Tokyo 2025 finals have a wealth of experience, including previous appearances at the Olympics, World Championships, and the Diamond League. How do you view your own rapid progress despite this experience gap?

It’s a huge challenge, no doubt. Almost all the players in the Tokyo 2025 finals have competed extensively in the number one tournaments across the globe, such as the Olympics, World Championships, and the Diamond League.

I’ve only been a senior athlete for just two years. The key for me has been consistent, incremental improvement.

Despite my lack of experience, I’ve been able to improve and sharpen my skills day by day, month by month. The journey has been quite steep, but progress is being made.

Looking ahead, what are your immediate goals following this impressive debut?

This experience is invaluable. It’s a massive stepping stone. I want to build on this momentum, continuing to train and compete to the best of my ability.

The goal is to consistently perform at the highest level, representing Sri Lanka and hopefully inspiring others.

Coach’s insight – Tony Ranasinghe

Coach Ranasinghe, Rumesh’s achievement is remarkable, especially considering his relative inexperience at the senior level. What was the primary goal you set for him heading into the Tokyo World Championships?

Our first and most important goal was simply to qualify for the final. Given Rumesh’s trajectory and the high standard of competition, making the final eight was a significant target.

How did you structure your plan to achieve that goal?

We planned step by step. The initial objective was to reach the round of eight. For us, achieving the final, in the context of the athletes Rumesh was up against, this victory is like winning first place for us. It validated all the hard work and sacrifice.

You’ve highlighted the differences in preparation between Rumesh and world-class competitors. Can you elaborate on the contrast you observed at the championships, using a specific example?

The differences are stark, and it speaks volumes about the required support for world-level performance. When we went to the tournament, we saw an athlete like Julian Weber, the Diamond League final champion who set the world record of 91.51 meters this year. Seeing him arrive was ‘like magic’. He had a team of five people with him. In contrast, Rumesh only had himself and his father following him.

What specific support elements are missing for Rumesh that world-class athletes benefit from daily?

The nutrition and health of a world-class athlete need to be properly monitored. That requires essential professionals: a doctor and a physiotherapist. You cannot challenge the world level by simply eating rice, porridge, and jack fruit anymore. While Rumesh got some good meals during the championships, he doesn’t get them every day. This consistent, high-level support is critical.

You also noted a visible disparity in logistics and resources, specifically comparing Rumesh’s travel arrangements to those of other champions, such as Neeraj Chopra.

Yes, the contrast is very clear and highlights the resource gap. Indian Champion Neeraj Chopra comes to the tournaments by car. We, on the other hand, go to the tournaments with Rumesh, tie his javelin on it and ride a bike. Even simple things like training equipment are an issue; at home, if you go to a gym and weigh two sets of 10-kilogram plates, you can see that they are different in weights. The basic infrastructure is lacking.

Beyond logistics and infrastructure, what is the biggest non-training obstacle that hinders Rumesh and other athletes in the critical period before a major tournament?

The most important time for an athlete before a tournament is the last week. This is when mental and physical preparation should be focused purely on the competition. But our last week is spent on crucial but distracting administrative matters, specifically obtaining visas and other matters. We end up running back and forth between ministries and embassies. This siphons off valuable mental concentration and time that should be dedicated to preparation.

Given these challenges, what is your hope or request for the country’s sports authorities now that Rumesh has delivered this hard-won achievement?

We are now asking for a much smoother process in the future by showing something through an achievement that was gained the hard way. We have a clear example of what’s possible despite the odds. We are hoping that this time we will get a good answer and the necessary support. The current situation leads to a serious doubt: while the country’s sports fans demand medals, it is questionable whether the country’s sports authorities have the capacity to demand medals from these athletes who train in gyms that don’t even have a mirror. Rumesh, like all athletes in our country, has lost valuable opportunities due to visa issues.

The way forward – Recommens. and future oppos.

Considering the challenges faced, what specific assistance would be most impactful for athletes like Rumesh in preparing for future major competitions?

The most impactful assistance would be to provide special assistance in preparing for upcoming competitions, including obtaining hassle-free visas. This simple, yet critical, administrative support would allow him to devote his valuable time and mental concentration to further victory. Providing proper, consistent nutrition, access to a dedicated physiotherapist, and better training facilities are also non-negotiable necessities to compete at the world level.

Rumesh is just starting his journey on the global stage. What major events are on the horizon that could see him challenging for medals if properly supported?

Rumesh has barely stepped foot on the world stage. Over the next few years, there are significant opportunities. The Asian Championships and Commonwealth Championships will come in the following years. Crucially, the Beijing World Championships in 2027 and the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 are also on the horizon.

What is the potential impact on SL if Rumesh is properly managed and achieves success at these future events?

The potential is immense. If managed properly, these medals will not only be a hope, but Rumesh will soon be a brand ambassador that will carry the name ‘Sri Lanka’ to the world. This success can be leveraged for the development of the country, tourism, and a positive international image. Furthermore, it is a great opportunity for local entrepreneurs to enter the international stage through our own athletes. A successful athlete becomes a national asset.

Rumesh’s journey so far is a testament to perseverance. Who do you credit with providing the foundation for his current success?

Rumesh’s success is a combination of his innate talent with unwavering determination and the steadfast strength of his father, mother, and coach (myself). He has come a long way.

What is the final call to action for the relevant authorities, recognising the urgency of the situation?

There is no point in wasting time anymore to give the necessary push without delay and without hesitation to complete the remaining distance.

The best auspicious moment has dawned now. If those responsible take the right steps, the 18-year World Championship medal drought and the 25+ year Olympic medal drought could be ended in a shower of flowers.

The support must be immediate and comprehensive to capitalise on this hard-earned momentum.

Why is Rumesh’s story a big win for SL?

A 22-year-old Rumesh Tharanga recently etched his name into the annals of Sri Lankan sports history, delivering a performance that has ignited fresh hope for the island nation’s athletics programme. Competing at the 20th World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, the ace javelin thrower secured a remarkable seventh place finish in the Men’s Javelin Throw final. This achievement is not just a personal triumph for the young prodigy; it marks a significant historical milestone for Sri Lankan athletics, as Tharanga became the first Sri Lankan male athlete ever to reach a World Championship final.

The final throw: Stats and global context

Tharanga’s performance was defined by consistency and a powerful opening. He recorded his best throw of the final on his very first attempt, a formidable distance of 84.38 meters. This initial mark was solid enough to hold him in seventh position overall against a field of seasoned global competitors.

While the result was historic, it also offered a glimpse of the elite-level Rumesh is still chasing.

The Sri Lankan national record holder – who previously set his personal best of 86.50 meters at the 1st Indian Open World Athletics Bronze Level Continental Tour Meet in Bhubaneswar, India – fell short of that mark in Tokyo.

The medal podium was dominated by Caribbean powerhouses:

• Gold was clinched by Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad & Tobago with a throw of 87.83 meters.
• Anderson Peters of Grenada secured the silver medal with 87.38 meters.
• The bronze went to the USA’s Curtis Thompson, who threw 86.67 meters.

Notably, the final also featured a strong performance from the rising Indian athlete, Sachin Yadav, who secured fourth place with his seasonal best of 86.27 meters, a distance that Rumesh was unable to surpass.

Outperforming World Champions Perhaps the most compelling metric of Tharanga’s breakthrough was his ability to stare down and out-perform two of the sport’s biggest names. Rumesh finished above the reigning Olympic and World Champion, Neeraj Chopra of India, who was placed eighth with 84.03 meters.

He also surpassed Pakistan’s Olympic medallist, Arshad Nadeem, who finished in 10th place with a distance of 82.75 meters.

This victory over established champions underscores Rumesh’s mental fortitude and enormous potential.

It confirms his position as a formidable contender on the Asian and global circuits, demonstrating that he can compete under the most intense pressure.

A career transformed: From cricket to javelin

Rumesh Tharanga’s athletic path began on the cricket pitch. He started his sporting journey as a fast-bowling cricketer during his time at St Peter’s College, Colombo. 

However, influenced by his father – a former discus and shot-put thrower – he made a crucial career switch to the javelin.

This decision has since transformed him into the nation’s premier thrower and record-breaker. Rumesh’s historic achievement in Tokyo is now only the second time Sri Lanka has featured in the highest echelons of the World Championships.

The nation’s sole prior medal success came when the legendary sprinter Susanthika Jayasinghe won a silver medal in 2007.

Training ground and the future

Rumesh is currently moulding his craft far from home, training at the Queensland Institute of Sport.

This move is essential for refining his techniques and fine-tuning his talents in a world-class environment, all with the singular goal of delivering even bigger throws in the near future and bringing more glory to Sri Lanka.

His performance in Tokyo was a lone bright spot for the small Sri Lankan contingent. Other featured athletes included the army athlete and former national record holder Sumedha Ranasinghe, and sprinting star Nadeesha Ramanayake. 

Unfortunately, both athletes were unable to progress beyond the preliminary rounds of their respective events.

Tharanga’s seventh-place finish is a powerful statement about what dedicated talent can achieve.

It has set a new benchmark for male athletes from the nation and serves as a rallying cry for the support needed to nurture this talent toward future podium finishes.

The hope is that this historic success will spur the necessary investment to turn future Olympic and World Championship aspirations into medal reality.