Rumesh Pathirage wins Asian Games javelin Gold

Tuesday, 29 September 2026 03:14 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Asian Games Gold medal capped off an unprecedented season for Rumesh Pathirage, who entered the Games having won all but one of the competitions he’s contested this year

Sri Lanka’s javelin star Rumesh Pathirage has continued his near-unbeaten streak this year by clinching Gold at the Asian Games, as India’s Yashvir Singh and Rohit Yadav grabbed Silver and Bronze.

Pathirage topped the podium with 88.55 metres in his final throw yesterday, while Singh, who won Bronze at the Commonwealth Games earlier this year, upgraded to Silver with a personal best of 85.72 metres and Yadav took Bronze with 84.35 metres.

Pakistan’s Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem could only muster 80.29 metres to finish fourth.

In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera earlier this month, Pathirage said he was eyeing Nadeem’s Asian record of 92.97 metres set at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

World number one Pathirage got off to a shaky start with a dismal 73.53 metres — the only throw he’s had below 80 metres this season — before returning to form in the second round.

He then launched a massive 88.33 metres in his fourth throw to eclipse the Indian duo and all but secure his Gold medal. A no-throw in his fifth attempt was bettered with 88.55 metres in his sixth to claim the continental crown.

The victory capped off an unprecedented season for Pathirage, who entered the Asian Games having won all but one of the competitions he’s contested this year.

Yesterday’s win was the final addition to his trophy cabinet with golds from the Commonwealth Games, the Diamond League final, and the inaugural Ultimate Championships in Budapest.

Pathirage, 23, became the only thrower this season and fourth in history to breach the 92-metre mark in a year — a rare feat in javelin.

He catapulted to the top ranks when he threw a mammoth 92.62 metres at the Rome Diamond League in June, which became a new national record that still stands as the world lead this year. He then launched 92.07 metres to claim Gold at the Zurich Diamond League in August.