Sri Lankan Javelin Thrower Tharanga Makes Historic World Athletics Final

At the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Sri Lankan javelin thrower Rumesh Tharanga made history by finishing seventh in the men's javelin final, marking the best-ever performance by a Sri Lankan male athlete at a global athletics event. Tharanga's throw of 84.38 meters surpassed notable competitors, including Olympic and World Champion Neeraj Chopra of India, who finished eighth. Chopra, the defending champion and 2023 World Champion, qualified effortlessly for the final with a throw of 84.85 meters on his first attempt, showcasing his experience and strategic energy conservation. The competition featured a star-studded field, including multiple Olympic and World Champions like Trinidad and Tobago's Keshorn Walcott, who won gold, and Grenada's Anderson Peters, who took silver. Indian athlete Sachin Yadav also competed but did not yet secure his place in the final, while European throwers Julian Weber and David Węglarz advanced directly. The event highlighted intense rivalries and high-level performances, underscoring the growing prominence of javelin throwers from Asia and beyond in global athletics.