Sri Lanka’s rising javelin talent Rumesh Tharanga made headlines by setting a new national record with a throw of 89.37 metres at the Champions Track and Field Meet at Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium on Saturday. 

In a remarkable display, Tharanga achieved his best throw on his final attempt after a series of consistent performances, starting with 78.39m and then surpassing 83m four times with throws of 83.35m, 83.68m, 84.33m, and 84.62m. 

His 89.37m throw surpasses his previous record of 86.50m, which is awaiting ratification.

This performance places Tharanga at the top of the world seasonal rankings, improving on his earlier best of 83.07m set in Australia. 

The 22-year-old athlete, trained by Tony Prasanna, continues to make waves internationally, having reached the final at last year's World Championships Sri Lanka’s first in 19 years and finishing seventh at the Tokyo World Championships, ahead of Olympic champions.