Rumesh Pathirage wins historic javelin gold at Asian Games

Sri Lankan athlete Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage won the gold medal in the men’s javelin throw at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan. Despite rainy conditions and a slippery runway, Pathirage secured first place with a throw of 88.55 meters, marking Sri Lanka’s first-ever Asian Games gold medal in the javelin event.

India achieved a double podium finish in the same competition. Yashvir Singh took the silver medal with a personal best of 85.72 meters, while Rohit Yadav claimed the bronze with a throw of 84.35 meters. Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra, who was unable to compete due to an ankle injury, expressed his pride in the performance of his fellow countrymen.

Pathirage, who has been the world leader in javelin this season, noted that the weather prevented him from attempting his larger 90-meter-plus throws. The competition also featured Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, who finished in fourth place.