Rumesh Pathirage has sent Sri Lanka into raptures after capping his stunning breakthrough season with victory in the men’s javelin at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest.
The dominant Sri Lankan has enjoyed a phenomenal year, winning 11 of his 12 competitions. His season highlights include a world-leading 92.62m in Rome, a 92.07m victory in Zurich, and the Diamond League title.
Pathirage Overcomes Slow Start
The pre-competition favourite made an inauspicious start in Budapest.
Pathirage opened with a modest 75.89m, while European champion Julian Weber immediately seized the early lead with an 84.09m throw.
Germany’s advantage did not last long.
Two-time world champion Anderson Peters of Grenada produced an 86.18m effort in the second round. Weber responded with 85.89m to remain second, while Pathirage began to find his rhythm with 85.69m.
Sri Lankan Takes Control
Pathirage seized control in the third round.
He launched the javelin to 87.11m to move into the lead. Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem also produced a season’s best of 81.49m in the same round.
However, Nadeem remained fifth and was eliminated before the fourth and final round.
Pathirage then produced his biggest throw of the competition.
He opened the final round with a thunderous 91.09m, becoming the first athlete to record a 90-metre throw on Hungarian soil.
Peters closed his series with 82.63m, while Weber managed 78.75m. Pathirage’s victory was therefore sealed.
Pathirage Sets His Sights on Olympic Gold
The Sri Lankan star made his ambitions clear after securing the Ultimate Championship trophy.
“This was my one and only goal – to bring the trophy back to Sri Lanka,” Pathirage said. “I faced a lot of challenges today but I was still hoping to win and I’m proud I did it. I was never thinking about the prize money and I don’t have any idea yet how I will spend it. Sri Lankan athletes have won two Olympic medals so far and my next goal is to bring the Olympic gold medal home.”
With another major title secured, Pathirage now turns his attention to the upcoming Asian Games.
His extraordinary 2026 season has established him as one of the biggest forces in global javelin, and he will look to carry that momentum into the next stage of his career.