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Sri Lanka’s athletics scene has a new rising star. At just 23, Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage has established himself as one of the most exciting young javelin throwers in the world. Tharanga’s remarkable 2026 season has already included a 92.62-metre national record, a Commonwealth Games gold medal, multiple Diamond League victories and a World Championships final appearance. His latest achievement came at the Lausanne Diamond League, where he edged India’s Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra by just nine centimetres. From cricket to javelin Born on March 21, 2003, in Kalutara, Sri Lanka, Tharanga initially dreamed of making a career in cricket. He developed into a promising fast bowler and reportedly reached speeds of around 134 kilometres per hour as a teenager. His father’s involvement in throwing events eventually encouraged him to explore athletics. Tharanga first tried discus before turning his attention to javelin while studying at St Peter’s College in Colombo. His cricket background helped him develop explosive movement, speed and coordination — qualities that later became important parts of his javelin technique. Rapid rise in athletics Tharanga represented Sri Lanka at the 2022 World Athletics U20 Championships, gaining valuable international experience. By 2025, he had moved beyond the status of a promising prospect. He became the first Sri Lankan male javelin thrower to reach a World Athletics Championships final and finished seventh with a throw of 84.38 metres. His progress accelerated dramatically the following year. Breaking the 90-metre mark At the Rome Diamond League in 2026, Tharanga produced the biggest throw of his career, sending the javelin 92.62 metres. The effort set a new Sri Lankan national record and placed him among the world’s elite throwers. It also put him close to Pakistan’s Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem, whose 92.97-metre throw won gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Crossing the 90-metre barrier marked a major milestone. Tharanga had firmly established himself as a serious contender at the highest level of international javelin. Commonwealth Games champion Tharanga carried that momentum into the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where he faced a star-studded field that included Chopra, Nadeem, Anderson Peters and Keshorn Walcott. He produced a huge 89.75-metre throw to claim the gold medal. Chopra finished second, while India’s Yash Vir Singh secured bronze. The victory gave Sri Lanka a major javelin success and further raised Tharanga’s profile on the international stage. Narrow win over Neeraj Chopra The rivalry with Chopra continued at the Lausanne Diamond League on August 21. Tharanga opened the competition with an 85.99-metre throw before improving to 87.06 metres with his second attempt. Chopra responded with an 88.05-metre throw, his season’s best at the time, and briefly moved into first place. Tharanga answered immediately. His third attempt travelled 88.14 metres, putting him back in the lead and securing the victory. The nine-centimetre margin highlighted just how closely matched the two athletes were. Lausanne Diamond League standings: 1. 🇱🇰 Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage — 88.14m 2. 🇮🇳 Neeraj Chopra — 88.05m 3. 🇬🇩 Anderson Peters — 86.69m 4. 🇹🇹 Keshorn Walcott — 83.71m 5. 🇺🇸 Marc Anthony Minichello — 80.06m The Lausanne victory added another important chapter to Tharanga’s breakthrough season and strengthened his position among the leading javelin throwers in the world. A new South Asian rivalry For years, South Asian javelin focused largely on the rivalry between Chopra and Nadeem. Tharanga’s rapid emergence has added another major contender from the region. His 92.62-metre national record demonstrates his enormous throwing ability, while his Commonwealth Games gold and Diamond League victories show that he can perform when the pressure is highest. At only 23, Tharanga still has considerable room to develop. Sri Lanka’s rising athletics star Tharanga’s success carries significance beyond javelin. Sri Lanka has long enjoyed a strong sporting identity through cricket, but his achievements are bringing renewed attention to the country’s athletics programme. His journey from teenage fast bowler to Commonwealth champion and Diamond League winner also highlights the unpredictable paths that can lead athletes to international success. With a 92.62-metre personal best, major titles already on his record and growing experience against the world’s best, Tharanga appears to have established himself as one of the leading young names in men’s javelin. At 23, his biggest achievements may still lie ahead.

MACKAY: Bangladesh’s batting collapsed spectacularly against Australia on Saturday, folding for just 64 runs in the first innings of the second Test as Mitchell Starc produced a devastating spell of fast bowling. Playing at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, Australia won the toss and elected to bowl first. The decision quickly paid off as Bangladesh’s batters struggled to cope with the pace and movement generated by the Australian attack. Starc was the chief destroyer, claiming six wickets for just 12 runs from 10 overs. His relentless spell left Bangladesh’s batting order in tatters and gave Australia complete control of the opening stages of the match. Captain Pat Cummins provided strong support, taking three wickets, while Josh Hazlewood claimed the remaining wicket as Australia’s pace trio ripped through the visitors. Bangladesh’s innings offered little resistance. No specialist batter managed to produce a substantial score, with No. 11 batter Shoriful Islam emerging as the team’s leading scorer with 14 runs. Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam each contributed 11, but the lower order could not prevent Bangladesh from being bowled out for one of their lowest Test totals. The collapse is a dramatic turnaround from the opening match of the series. Bangladesh stunned Australia in the first Test in Darwin, securing a historic nine-wicket victory — their first Test win over Australia on Australian soil. That result had given Bangladesh enormous confidence and put the hosts under early pressure in the series. However, Starc and Australia’s fast bowlers ensured that the second Test began on an entirely different note. For Bangladesh, the immediate challenge is to recover from the huge first-innings setback and find a way to contain Australia’s batting. For the hosts, meanwhile, the emphatic bowling performance offers a chance to level the series after their unexpected defeat in Darwin. Starc’s six-wicket haul has already become the defining moment of the match, with Australia firmly on top after Bangladesh’s dramatic batting collapse.

GENEVA: FIFA has taken sweeping disciplinary action against Argentina following the confrontation that erupted after the 2026 World Cup final against Spain, handing midfielder Leandro Paredes a 10-match international suspension and a $90,000 fine. The FIFA Disciplinary Committee announced the sanctions after reviewing incidents that occurred at the New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, when Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 to lift the World Cup trophy. Paredes received the heaviest punishment among the players involved. Nahuel Molina was suspended for seven international matches and fined $90,000, while Thiago Almada was handed a one-match ban and a $30,000 fine. Argentina team official Roberto Ayala was also suspended for three matches and fined $30,000. On the Spanish side, midfielder Pablo Martín Páez Gavira, better known as Gavi, received a one-match suspension and a $30,000 fine for unsporting behaviour. The disciplinary action follows a brief but heated confrontation at the final whistle. Reports said tensions spilled over as players from both teams came together on the pitch, with Paredes involved in an altercation with Gavi. FIFA subsequently opened disciplinary proceedings over alleged assault and unsporting behaviour. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) was also hit with a combined $321,000 fine for multiple violations during the tournament. FIFA cited issues including team misconduct, discriminatory behaviour by supporters, security-related breaches and other disciplinary violations. Argentina has additionally been ordered to play its next two home matches with attendance restricted to 50 per cent of stadium capacity. However, FIFA has suspended part of the sanction, meaning one of those reduced-capacity matches will remain conditional during a probationary period. FIFA also directed that $100,000 from the disciplinary fine be allocated toward measures aimed at combating discrimination. Another portion of the financial penalty has been suspended under the conditions announced by the governing body. The AFA and the individuals involved have 10 days to request the detailed reasons behind the decisions, after which they may pursue available appeal procedures. The punishments add a controversial postscript to a dramatic World Cup final. Spain’s 1-0 victory secured the title, while Argentina was left to deal with the fallout from events that unfolded after the final whistle. What began as an emotional ending to football’s biggest tournament has now turned into a major disciplinary case, with Argentina facing significant player suspensions, financial penalties and restrictions on its home support.

MILAN: Inter Milan have added another English name to their squad, with Curtis Jones completing a move from Liverpool to the Italian champions and becoming the third Englishman to join the club this summer. The 25-year-old midfielder has signed a contract running until 2031, bringing an end to a 16-year association with Liverpool, where he progressed through the academy before establishing himself in the first team. Inter confirmed the transfer on Friday, describing Jones’ arrival as the start of a “new, incredible adventure” and noting that he becomes the sixth Englishman in the club’s history. According to Italian media reports, Inter will pay around €35 million ($40.8 million) for the Liverpool academy graduate. Jones leaves Anfield with an emotional farewell message to the club that shaped his career. “After 16 years, it’s time to say goodbye,” Jones wrote on Instagram. The midfielder said he had joined Liverpool as a child with the dream of playing for the club and felt fortunate to have lived that dream. “Liverpool will be a massive part of me,” he added. Jones now begins a completely different chapter in Serie A, joining an Inter squad that has already welcomed two other English players this summer. Right-back Djed Spence and centre-back John Stones have also completed moves to San Siro, both signing contracts through 2031. Stones joined Inter after his Manchester City contract expired, while Spence has also made the switch to Italy. Jones’ transfer underlines Inter’s growing interest in English talent as the club prepares for another demanding domestic and European campaign. For the midfielder, the move represents an opportunity to experience football outside England for the first time and compete in one of Europe’s most tactical leagues. Inter will begin their Serie A campaign against Monza on Saturday, giving Jones the chance to make an immediate impression with his new club. After spending virtually his entire professional life at Liverpool, the midfielder now faces the challenge of adapting to a new country, language and style of football. But with a long-term contract and the backing of the Italian champions, Jones will hope his move to Milan becomes the next defining chapter of his career.

MIAMI: Lionel Messi has been fined by Major League Soccer after becoming involved in a heated late-game confrontation with Philadelphia Union midfielder Quinn Sullivan during Inter Miami’s 2-2 draw with Philadelphia. The MLS Disciplinary Committee announced the punishment on Friday, saying Messi had violated the league’s policy concerning players putting their hands to the face, head or neck of an opponent. The amount of the fine was not disclosed. Inter Miami teammate Ian Fray was also fined an undisclosed amount for the same violation, adding another disciplinary twist to an already tense encounter. The incident occurred deep into stoppage time on Wednesday, Aug. 19, at Subaru Park. With the ball being played elsewhere, Messi approached Sullivan near the centre circle following an exchange between the players. Messi then made contact with Sullivan around the head and neck area. Sullivan responded by confronting the Argentine star, leading to a tense face-to-face exchange before officials intervened. Referee Filip Dujic had initially not seen the incident because his back was turned. He arrived shortly afterwards to separate the players but did not issue either Messi or Quinn Sullivan a card for the confrontation. The match later descended into further chaos in stoppage time. Quinn Sullivan became involved in another altercation with Inter Miami’s Ian Fray, while Philadelphia’s Cavan Sullivan and Miami midfielder Yannick Bright were also involved in the ensuing scuffle. Cavan Sullivan and Bright were both sent off, turning an already dramatic finish into a disciplinary flashpoint. Cavan Sullivan’s red-card suspension was later overturned on appeal, making him available for Philadelphia’s next match. Despite the controversy, Messi had a major influence on the match itself. He provided an assist before scoring Inter Miami’s second goal in the 26th minute, curling a left-footed effort into the corner. The goal was particularly emotional for the 39-year-old Argentine, as it was his first since returning to action following the death of his father, Jorge Messi. Philadelphia eventually fought back to earn a 2-2 draw, with Neil Pierre scoring in the second half to level the contest. For Messi, the match therefore ended on two very different notes: a memorable goal and assist on the field, followed by an unexpected disciplinary sanction. The MLS fine does not carry a suspension, but it serves as a reminder that even one of football’s biggest stars remains subject to the league’s conduct rules. With the regular season intensifying, both Messi and Inter Miami will now hope the incident remains a footnote rather than becoming a distraction from their push for success.

MARSEILLE: Amine Gouiri made a flying start to Marseille’s new Ligue 1 campaign, scoring twice in the second half as his side swept aside Strasbourg 4-0 on Friday in the opening match of the French top-flight season. The Algeria international was at the heart of Marseille’s attacking display, breaking the deadlock shortly after half-time before converting a penalty to put the hosts firmly in control. Gouiri’s performance gave Marseille exactly the kind of opening they wanted in front of their home supporters, while also extending their remarkable unbeaten league run against Strasbourg, which now stretches back to 1997. “It’s a joy,” Gouiri told Ligue 1+, reflecting on a perfect start. “We really wanted to start well in front of our supporters, and it’s job done.” Marseille had to wait until the second half to unlock the visitors’ defence. Gouiri struck just a minute after the restart, meeting the ball with a low first-time finish that finally gave the hosts the breakthrough. Strasbourg’s hopes of recovering quickly suffered another blow shortly before the hour mark when Samir El Mourabet was shown a red card for violent conduct after kicking Marseille midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. With Strasbourg down to 10 men, Marseille seized control. Gouiri stepped up to take the resulting penalty and made no mistake, calmly sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to complete his brace and double Marseille’s advantage. The hosts continued to push forward and eventually turned a comfortable victory into a statement result. Young substitute Keyliane Abdallah added a third before Hojbjerg put the finishing touch on the night, scoring late to complete the 4-0 rout. For coach Bruno Genesio, the result provides an ideal beginning despite Marseille’s limited activity in the summer transfer market. The manager has acknowledged that the club must reduce its wage bill before it can make major additions to the squad. “We have to drop our salary spend,” Genesio said. “Until that’s done, we won’t be able to recruit.” Gouiri, who joined Marseille from Rennes in January 2025, will be encouraged by his explosive start. He also scored once for Algeria during four matches at this year’s World Cup. The opening weekend continues on Saturday, with last season’s runners-up Lens hosting Auxerre, while newly promoted Le Mans face Brest in their first top-flight match since 2010. Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain begin their title defence away to Rennes on Sunday as they chase a record-extending 14th Ligue 1 crown.

Pakistan women’s football team player Maryam Mahmood has become the first Pakistani female footballer to be included on the International Honours Board of Wrexham FC Women. The British football club has also recognised Pakistan men’s team player Umar Nawaz on its International Honours Board. Wrexham FC honoured Mahmood after she represented Pakistan at the international level. Speaking about the achievement, Mahmood said she was extremely happy and proud to see her name on the honours board. She described her journey of representing Pakistan internationally as “incredible” and said seeing her name alongside the club’s legends felt surreal. She added that she could not find enough words to express her emotions about representing Pakistan. Mahmood said making her international debut for Pakistan and receiving strong support from fans was an unforgettable experience. She added that inspiring the younger generation is one of her personal goals. The footballer also recalled her experience of playing three matches for Pakistan in Ivory Coast. She said scoring a goal for Pakistan against Turks and Caicos was particularly special for her. Mahmood further said that she did not have a female role model while growing up. She expressed happiness at having the opportunity to become a role model for young girls and inspire them to pursue football. Her recognition by Wrexham FC marks another significant achievement in her career and highlights the growing presence of Pakistani women in international football.