Rumesh Tharanga returns after winning Ultimate Championship javelin title

Sri Lankan javelin thrower Rumesh Tharanga returned to the country early on Tuesday (15) after winning the men’s title at the Ultimate Championship, defeating a field that included several of the world’s leading athletes.

Tharanga said he was delighted to return home with two major trophies and that his next targets were medals at the Asian Games, World Championships and Olympic Games.

The 23-year-old entered the competition as Commonwealth champion, Diamond League champion and world No. 1.

After opening with 75.89 metres, Tharanga improved to 85.69m in the second round before taking the lead with 87.11m in the third.

He then produced a massive 91.09m throw on his final attempt to seal the title.

The field included Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem, world champion Keshorn Walcott, two-time world champion Anderson Peters and European champion Julian Weber.

Tharanga received prize money of 150,000 U.S. dollars, equivalent to nearly Rs. 50 million.

He said his immediate ambitions were now focused on three major medals for Sri Lanka, at the Asian Games, World Championships and Olympics.