Rumesh Pathirage‘s stunning 92.62m thunderbolt at the Rome Diamond League has put the javelin throw world on notice.
According to World Athletics vice president Adille Sumariwalla, it has sent a powerful message that athletes from the Indian subcontinent can compete with – and beat – the world’s best in events traditionally dominated by Europeans.
Speaking to Olympics.com from Bhubaneswar on Saturday, Sumariwalla described the achievement as a moment of pride for the entire region after the Sri Lankan produced the throw of his life to break the meet record at the prestigious athletics event.
“It is absolutely a matter of pride for all of us in the subcontinent,” Sumariwalla said. “To throw beyond 92 metres at a Diamond League meeting and break a competition record is extraordinary. It shows that athletes from our part of the world can excel at the highest level of global athletics.”
The former Indian sprinter, who represented India at the Moscow 1980 Olympics, believes Pathirage’s achievement carries significance far beyond Sri Lanka.
“For decades, javelin throwing has largely been dominated by European athletes. Today, we have athletes from South Asia proving that they belong among the very best,” Sumariwalla opined. “Pakistan has produced an Olympic champion (in Arshad Nadeem), India has Neeraj Chopra, and now Sri Lanka has an athlete capable of crossing 92 metres. This is a victory for the entire region.”
Cricket-javelin pathway
Pathirage’s performance has also revived discussions about the relationship between cricket and javelin throwing. The Sri Lankan is reported to have played cricket before specialising in athletics, prompting comparisons between fast bowling and javelin.
Sumariwalla acknowledged that the two disciplines share certain similarities, particularly during an athlete’s formative years.
“Even Neeraj was a fast bowler initially. Fast bowlers develop arm speed, coordination, rhythm and explosive power, all of which can be useful in javelin. Cricket can certainly provide a good foundation,” he said.
Reigning Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem, too, aspired to be a fast bowler before shifting courses to javelin.
However, Sumariwalla stressed that success in javelin requires much more than a powerful throwing arm.
“Fast bowling may provide the raw ingredients, but javelin is a highly technical event. Throwing beyond 90 metres requires years of specialised coaching, technical refinement, strength development and competition experience. Cricket may help an athlete get started, but world-class performances come only through dedicated javelin training.”
The success stories emerging from South Asia, Sumariwalla believes, should encourage athletics administrators to look beyond traditional talent pools.
“We should actively identify talented fast bowlers who may not have progressed to the highest levels in cricket. If they possess the physical attributes required for throwing events, we should encourage them to try javelin. There is tremendous untapped talent across India and the subcontinent,” he said.
Neeraj Chopra’s own journey supports that view. Before becoming India’s first Olympic athletics champion, he spent much of his childhood playing cricket and volleyball before eventually discovering javelin.
The Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medallist’s rise transformed the sport’s popularity in India and inspired a new generation of throwers.
Now, Sumariwalla believes Pathirage’s achievement could have a similar impact in Sri Lanka.
“Young athletes need role models. When they see someone from their own country succeeding on the world stage, they begin to believe that they can do it too. Rumesh has shown what is possible.”
For Sumariwalla, however, the bigger story is the emergence of South Asia as a genuine force in world athletics.
“Pakistan has shown it, India has shown it, and now Sri Lanka has shown it. Athletes from our region are proving that they can be the best in the world. That is the most encouraging takeaway from Rumesh’s remarkable achievement.”
Let Neeraj Chopra enjoy…
While celebrating the Sri Lankan’s success, Sumariwalla also urged caution regarding expectations surrounding Chopra, who is expected to begin his international season soon.
“Let Neeraj enjoy the sport. There is no need to put unnecessary pressure on him regarding which events he should compete in. He has already achieved so much for Indian athletics. The important thing is that he remains healthy, enjoys competing and continues performing at the highest level.”
READ MORE: https://www.olympics.com/en/news/rumesh-pathirage-south-asia-javelin-revolution-adille-sumariwalla
