Sri Lankan javelin thrower Rumesh Tharanga has been nominated for the prestigious World Athletics Men’s World Athlete of the Year award, becoming the first Sri Lankan to receive a nomination for the honour. He is also the only athlete from Asia among the 10 nominees in the men’s category.
Tharanga has enjoyed an outstanding season, winning 13 of the 14 competitions he participated in this year. He secured gold medals at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship, Diamond League, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.
He also set a new national record with a throw of 92.62 metres, which stands as the world leading performance of the season, according to the report.
The other nominees include Sweden’s Mondo Duplantis in pole vault, American sprinter Kenneth Bednarek and hurdler Ja’Kobe Tharp, Brazil’s Alison dos Santos in the 400m hurdles, Great Britain’s Josh Kerr in the 1,500m, Botswana’s Collen Kebinatshipi in the 400m, Slovenia’s Kristjan Čeh in discus throw, Italy’s Andy Díaz Hernández in triple jump, and Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe in long distance running.
The list of nominees was selected by an international panel of athletics experts. The eventual winner will be determined through a four part voting process.
The finalists are expected to be announced on November 10 or 11, while the World Athletics Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in Monaco on November 29. Ten athletes have also been nominated for the Women’s World Athlete of the Year award.
Athletics fans can participate in the voting through the official World Athletics website. Voting is scheduled to close on October 17.
