Rumesh Tharanga wins Diamond League javelin title in Brussels

Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage finished his season by winning the men’s javelin throw at the 2026 Diamond League Final in Brussels, becoming the first Sri Lankan to claim the title.

The 23-year-old produced a best throw of 89.04 metres in the third round at the King Baudouin Stadium, finishing ahead of Poland’s Dawid Wegner, who set a personal best of 87.47m.

Former Olympic champion Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago took third place with a season-best 83.99m, while Grenada’s two-time world champion Anderson Peters finished fourth with 83.70m.

Tharanga opened with 80.42m and followed with 79.73m before taking the lead with his third-round throw. He then recorded 85.96m and 85.76m before fouling his final attempt.

“I’m truly very happy about that,” Tharanga said. “Coming from a small country like Sri Lanka, winning a major meet like this.”

He said cold weather conditions had made it difficult to produce a longer throw.

The victory completed an outstanding Diamond League campaign for Tharanga, who entered the final as the circuit leader.

He set a Sri Lankan national record and world-leading mark of 92.62m at the Rome Diamond League in June. He also threw 88.68m in Doha, won in Lausanne with 88.14m and recorded 92.07m in Zurich.

Tharanga has produced two throws beyond 92m this season and risen to world No. 1 in the men’s javelin rankings.

The Diamond League title adds to the Commonwealth Games gold medal he won earlier this season, completing a breakthrough year for the Sri Lankan athlete.