• An athlete who was deprived of international tournaments 

The biggest global sporting spectacle - 2024 Paris Olympics is in full swing in France with thousands of athletes all over the world taking part in numerous fields of sport to showcase their prowess with one ultimate goal. Bring home the glory and make their nation and themselves proud in the highest stage in the world of sports. However today on The Daily Morning we look into a pretty sombre side of an athlete and his journey.

His name is Rumesh Tharanga, who managed to own the new Sri Lankan record in the men's javelin throw event at this year's Asian Throwing Championship held in South Korea in June. Rumesh, who is now 20 years old, lost the opportunity to participate in the Paris Olympics this year due to a shortfall of 5 cm. World Athletics statistics placed Rumesh Tharanga's gold-winning throw in the men's javelin at the Asian Throwing Championship among the top ten throws in the world this season.His season-long throw of 85.45 metres ranks him tenth in the world, however it was only five centimetres short of the Olympic qualifying standard of 85.50 metres. Tharanga became the fourth athlete from Sri Lanka to break the 80-metre mark with his incredible achievement. He was ranked ninth in the world rankings just prior to the Olympics according to his performances this year. Sri Lanka's trip to the Asian Throwing Championship in June, which took place in Mopok, South Korea, was quite successful as the squad brought home three medals. With a throw of 57.94 metres in the women's javelin, Dilhani Lekamge — the highest-ranked Sri Lankan athlete in the women's category according to the ‘Road to Paris 24’ Olympic rankings, won bronze.

Today Rumesh has only had to watch the Olympics from Sri Lanka while other Sri Lankan athletes are currently enjoying the Olympic experience in Paris. This is how the National Men’s Javelin throw champ shared with his challenges and the joys of his sporting journey.

Rumesh, could you reminisce to our readers on how you got into sports?

I first got my hands into athletics in 2011 when I was studying in grade 5 in my first school Horana Sripalee National College. I won first place in the All Island School Games in the 75 metre event that year. I also played cricket and was named the Vice Captain of the Kalutara District team. I achieved 42 metres in the javelin throw at the 2017 Junior Sir John Tarbet Athletics Championships. After that performance, Coach Tony Prasanna paved the way for me to enter St. Peter's College, Colombo. I also did the discus throw event in 2017. Then in the year 2022, I retired from the discus throw event. Since then, I have been completely involved in  javelin throw as my event.

This time the Paris Olympics was within your reach and you missed the opportunity. How did that happen?

Since last year, I had hopes to participate in the Paris Olympics. My coach and I prepared a huge plan for that. I have been asking for an international tournament since the beginning of this year. My coach also told me every time that I have a chance to do well this year. But I was not given any other international tournament until the Asian Throwing Championship. After I performed 85.45 metres in the Asian Throws Championship, I was offered a tour of India within a week. There too I recorded my second personal best. If I had been given an international tournament from the beginning of the year, I think I would have reached my goal. The main reason for not being able to participate in the Paris Olympics this year is that I did not get the opportunity to participate in many international tournaments.

You missed out on Olympic direct qualification by as little as 5 cm. But is that a tournament record?

I actually participated in the Asian Throwing Tournament without thinking of directly participating in the Olympics. I participated in it to showcase and achieve my personal best. Even so, I managed to achieve a tournament record of 85.45 metres as well as set the Sri Lankan national record. But on the other hand, I lost the opportunity to directly qualify for the Olympics. Losing the Olympic debut by just 5 centimetres, I really think that at that time my luck and misfortune were swinging in both directions.

Despite missing the Olympics, it is not easy to achieve a top spot in the country and in Asia. Let's talk about your challenges along the way.

There were many challenges in life. But to win, you have to face them. Especially if you want to own a national record, you have to make big sacrifices along the way. Also, with the technology and facilities available in Sri Lanka, it takes a lot of effort to hone good skills and strive forward. Last year, I requested Sri Lanka Athletics (SLA) to provide a good javelin. Although I got it, I didn't get a chance to use it properly. When I took that javelin to the Asian Throwing Championship held in South Korea, it was tested by a machine. There I was told that the Javelin was illegal.  We came to know that there is some difference in its weight and girth. To be honest, I faced the competition at that time with a Javelin that I had not practised with. Unexpectedly, I was able to surpass the national record.

Who supports you the most to continue the sport?

I get a lot of support from my mother, father, sister and all other family members. And my coach Tony Prasanna. From my childhood, I was well trained by him and brought to a good place where I am today and I have many accolades thanks to the great guidance. Also, almost a year has passed since I joined the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF). Within this period, I got a lot of support from the SLAF.

And finally, what are the future expectations in the sporting life of Rumesh Tharanga ?

The next big hope is to engage in good training and participate in the World Championships. With less facilities and technology, it is very difficult to participate in such a tournament in an event like javelin throw. But my only hope is to somehow reach that goal with the power of will.