New Delhi, September 6 (Daily Kiran) : Former Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews has extended his congratulations to javelin thrower Ramesh Pathirage for his remarkable achievement. The 23-year-old made history by becoming the first Sri Lankan athlete to win a Diamond League title.
Mathews celebrated Pathirage’s success on social media platform X, stating, “Ramesh Tharanga, keep our flag high.” Pathirage clinched the Diamond League title with a winning throw of 89.04 meters during his third attempt at the King Baudouin Stadium. Poland’s David Wagner secured second place with a personal best throw of 87.47 meters, while Trinidad and Tobago’s former Olympic champion Keshorn Walcott finished third with a season-best throw of 83.99 meters. Two-time world champion Anderson Peters from Grenada took fourth place with a throw of 83.70 meters.
This victory marked a spectacular conclusion to Pathirage’s season, where he excelled throughout the series and reached the finals as the Diamond League circuit leader. “I am proud to be the first Sri Lankan to win the Diamond League final. I was eagerly looking forward to participating in the Diamond League, and I am thrilled to have won the final,” Pathirage expressed.
During this season, Pathirage competed in the Diamond League five times, achieving victory four times. After finishing second in his debut at Rabat, he threw over 92 meters in both Rome and Zurich. His throw of 92.62 meters in Rome set a world-leading mark and propelled him to the top of the world rankings.
Pathirage acknowledged that his winning throw in the final was below his potential, attributing it to challenging conditions. “I know I could have performed better than 89.04 meters today, but the conditions were tough. I am used to competing in higher temperatures. I will aim to break meeting records in the coming years,” he stated.
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