Peters maintains Diamond League momentum with Rome silver

Anderson Peters/Andrew Medichini - AP

by Michael Bascombe

ROME, Italy, June 5, 2026 - Grenadian javelin star Anderson Peters produced another strong performance on the Wanda Diamond League circuit on Thursday, finishing second in a high-quality Men's Javelin Throw competition won by Sri Lanka's Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage.

The two-time World Champion and Paris Olympic bronze medallist registered a best throw of 83.91 metres in the fifth round to secure the runner-up position at the Stadio Olimpico.

However, the evening belonged to Pathirage, who produced a sensational second-round effort of 92.62 metres to become only the second Asian athlete to surpass the 92-metre mark.

The throw not only established a new Sri Lankan national record but also set a new meeting record, eclipsing the previous mark of 90.34 metres set by Norway's Andreas Thorkildsen in 2006. It also stands as the world-leading performance this season.

American Curtis Thompson, the bronze medallist at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, finished a close third with 83.89m, just two centimetres behind Peters.

Tokyo World Championships gold medallist Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago placed fourth with a best effort of 83.45m in the fourth round.

Peters, who opened his Diamond League season with victory in Rabat, Morocco, was pleased with another podium finish and believes his consistency will serve him well as the season progresses.

"Second place with 83.91m is pretty good. I am showing some form of consistency," Peters said after the competition.

"I won in Rabat; this time I came second - you win some, and you lose some; this is athletics. Pathirage's 92m is pretty decent. Seeing him throw so far was motivating for me."

The Grenadian also enjoyed his first appearance at the historic venue.

"It is my first time here in Rome, and I have to say that the stadium is pretty decent," he added.

For Pathirage, the victory represented a breakthrough moment in his career.

"I tried my best today to throw the national record. I managed to improve it by 30 centimetres," the Sri Lankan said.

"Even though I had only two valid attempts today, I am very stable mentally. It was very hot in Rabat, and the weather in Rome feels good to throw further than at the last competition. Winning today feels like a Sri Lankan festival."

The result leaves both Pathirage and Peters tied atop the Diamond League standings with 15 points after two of the five qualifying meetings. Walcott occupies third position with 11 points.

The Diamond League javelin throwers will next meet on June 19 in Doha, Qatar. The event was originally scheduled for May 8 but was postponed due to military tensions in the Middle East region.