Rumesh Tharanga Makes History as First Sri Lankan Nominated for World Athlete of the Year

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Sri Lankan javelin thrower and world number 01 Rumesh Tharanga has made history by becoming the first Sri Lankan athlete to be nominated for the prestigious World Athlete of the Year award.

Tharanga is among 10 nominees for the 2026 Men’s World Athlete of the Year award, announced by World Athletics ahead of the World Athletics Awards in Monaco on November 29.

Sri Lanka's Rumesh Tharanga has enjoyed a remarkable 2026 season, winning the World Ultimate Championship and Diamond League title, while also securing gold at the Asian Games and a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.

His nomination marks a landmark moment for Sri Lankan athletics, placing the country’s top javelin thrower among the world’s leading track and field athletes.

A total of 20 athletes, 10 men and 10 women, were shortlisted by an international panel of athletics experts.

The winners will be decided through a four-way voting process, with each group contributing 25% of the final vote.

The voting groups include World Athletics fans, athletes who competed at World Athletics Series events in 2026, accredited media members, and the wider World Athletics Family.

The six finalists, three men and three women, will be announced on November 10 and 11.

The finalists will then be invited to Monaco for the World Athletics Awards on November 29, where the winners will be announced live on stage.

For Rumesh Tharanga and Sri Lanka, the nomination represents a historic achievement and a major milestone for the country’s presence on the global athletics stage.

Story Written by Buddmin Amaradiwakara