Sri Lanka, Sept. 15 -- Sri Lankan javelin star Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage returned home early this morning following a historic victory at the World Ultimate Championships in Budapest, Hungary, where he claimed the gold medal in the men's javelin throw with a stunning 91.09-metre effort.

Pathirage, who entered the competition as the Commonwealth champion, Diamond League champion and world number one, made a slow start with an opening throw of 75.89 metres, leaving him in fifth place. He responded strongly in the second round with an 85.69-metre throw to move into third before taking the lead with 87.11 metres in the third round.

The Sri Lankan star then produced his best effort of the competition in the final round, launching the javeli...