Rumesh Pathirage wins World Athletics Ultimate Championship with another 90m throw
Pathirage is having a wonderful 2026 season
Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Pathirage clinched the men’s javelin throw title at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship 2026 at the Gyula Zsivotzky National Athletics Centre in Budapest, Hungary, on Sunday, September 13.
The 23-year-old produced a best throw of 91.09m in the final round to beat two-time world champion Anderson Peters and European champion Julian Weber.
Pathirage’s mammoth 90m-plus effort meant that he finished nearly five metres ahead of Peters, who managed 86.18m and finished in second place. Weber took third spot with 85.89m. India’s Neeraj Chopra, who pulled out of the Asian Games 2026 with injury, did not compete in Budapest.
This result marked a wonderful season for Pathirage. Last year, he won gold at the South Asian Championships in Ranchi.
The Sri Lankan began 2026 by winning gold at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, finishing first with a best throw of 89.75m. Neeraj Chopra finished second with 85.83m. Pathirage then won the Diamond League Final 2026, registering a best throw of 89.04ml in Brussels.
The youngster currently owns the top three throws in the world this season – 92.62m, 92.07m, and 91.09m. He also registered eight of the top 10 marks in the world. His 92.62m national record in Rome in June remains the best javelin throw of the season.
Also Read: List of competitions Neeraj Chopra will miss due to injury
Pathirage overcomes tough start
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Competing in the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship, Pathirage had a tough start. Athletes in this competition have three initial throws before the top four advance to the final throw.
Pathirage had an extremely poor throw by his standards, registering 75.89m. Immediately coming under pressure, he improved his performance and registered 85.69m and 87.11m with his next two throws.
With his final throw, Pathirage registered a mammoth 91.09m, pulling away from his competitors. This also marked his third throw of 90m or more in 2026.
Peters and Weber joined Pathirage on the podium. Reigning world champion Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago finished fourth with 82.41m. Pakistan’s Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem was fifth with a season-best 81.49m.
Kenya’s Julius Yego finished sixth with 80.23m, followed by Poland’s Dawid Wegner on 77.21m and USA’s Curtis Thompson on 75.80m.
Who won men’s javelin throw at World Athletics Ultimate Championship 2026?
Rumesh Pathirage clinched the title in Budapest with a best throw of 91.09m.
What is Rumesh Pathirage’s best throw in 2026?
His 92.62m national record in Rome is the longest throw of the season.
Did Neeraj Chopra compete at World Athletics Ultimate Championship 2026?
No, Neeraj Chopra withdrew due to injury and did not participate in Budapest.
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