“I’ll Bring Sri Lanka an Olympic Gold” - World No.1 Throws Down New Challenge

COLOMBO (News 1st); "Sri Lanka does not have an Olympic gold medal. I will bring that gold medal to Sri Lanka."

Those were the words of newly crowned world number one javelin thrower Rumesh Tharanga, who says his greatest achievement may still lie ahead despite already rewriting the history books of Sri Lankan athletics.

Just days after ending Sri Lanka's 20-year wait for a Commonwealth Games gold medal, Rumesh has reached another extraordinary milestone by climbing to the top of the World Athletics men's javelin throw rankings.

The Sri Lankan star became the first athlete from the country to win a Commonwealth Games gold medal in the javelin throw when he triumphed at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

That historic victory also ended a two-decade drought for Sri Lanka at the Commonwealth Games and elevated Rumesh into the global spotlight.

His consistent performances on the international circuit have now propelled him to the summit of the sport, with the latest World Athletics rankings placing him at World No.1 with 1,354 ranking points.

Rumesh is also the youngest athlete among the world's top ten ranked javelin throwers, underlining both his current dominance and long-term potential.

As Sri Lanka celebrated the historic accomplishment, Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams, Rumesh's official hospitality partner, hosted a special felicitation ceremony in Colombo to honour the nation's newest sporting icon.

Speaking during the event, Rumesh revealed that becoming world number one had been a goal he had long visualised.

"I am extremely happy. I had a strong belief that if I could deliver an 88-metre performance at that meet, I would become World No.1. It is a great feeling to win a medal that Sri Lanka had never won before," he said.

According to Rumesh, if he can win all three Diamond League events, the points available at the Diamond League Final are even higher, and he can maintain the World No.1 ranking for the next three or four years.

"I trained with complete commitment from the very beginning. I closely followed many World No.1 athletes, especially Thomas Röhler. I always believed that one day I would reach a stage like this. But I want to go much further. My ultimate goal is an Olympic medal because Sri Lanka still does not have an Olympic gold medal. I promise that I will bring that gold medal to Sri Lanka as well," he added.

Behind Rumesh's success has been coach Tony Prasanna, who described the achievement as one of the greatest moments in Sri Lankan sporting history.

"Rumesh becoming World No.1 also means that Sri Lanka has produced a world-class coach in the throwing events. Our focus is now firmly on the 2028 Olympic Games. We are planning meticulously and our goal is to bring an Olympic medal to Sri Lanka."

With a Commonwealth Games gold medal around his neck, the World No.1 ranking beside his name and the Olympic Games firmly in his sights, Rumesh Tharanga has already delivered the greatest chapter in Sri Lankan athletics history.

But if the javelin star's confidence is anything to go by, the story is only just beginning. The world's best thrower now has his eyes fixed on the biggest prize in sport: an Olympic gold medal for Sri Lanka.

Image Courtesy: World Athletics