‘All 90m javelins damaged’: Rumesh Pathirage slams airline for incident on flight

Leading Sri Lankan javelin thrower Rumesh Pathirage has disclosed that his precious equipment was damaged during a flight, causing him significant disappointment in the run-up to the 2026 Asian Games. Pathirage had been travelling from Hungary to Sri Lanka when the unfortunate incident occurred. He shared photographs of the damaged javelins on social media, expressing his frustration over the way the airline had mishandled his prized sporting gear.

The incident struck at a crucial juncture in Pathirage's career, following a stellar season on the international circuit. The 23-year-old had been performing exceptionally well, securing 11 out of his 12 international competitions, including the Diamond League final and the Commonwealth Games. His impressive throws, including 92.62m in Rome and 92.07m in Zurich, have positioned him among the top contenders heading into the Asian Games.

Pathirage's talent had previously been showcased in cricket before he shifted his focus to javelin throwing. Now, he will aim to overcome this setback and concentrate on his preparations for the Asian Games, where he is expected to be a strong contender in the men's javelin throw.