Next stop the world: Pathirage wins Asian Games javelin gold

NAGOYA, Sri Lanka's Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage secured javelin gold at the Asian Games, bolstering his burgeoning accolade list. The 23-year-old prodigy has made waves in the javelin world this year, triumphing at the Commonwealth Games, Diamond League, and Ultimate Championship. Upon returning home from Budapest, he discovered his five javelins had disintegrated in transit—a setback he swiftly overcame at the Asian Games in Nagoya.

Pathirage launched an 88.55m throw to claim the gold. India's Yashvir Singh finished second with 85.72m, while Rohit Yadav of India and Pakistan's reigning Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem rounded out the top four. Pathirage's winning throw places him among the top three in the world this year, with his previous feats including a world-leading 92.62m throw in Rome's Diamond League meet and a 92.07m throw in Zurich.

In June, he secured Diamond League champion status, followed by Ultimate Championship gold in the same venue, then Commonwealth Games gold in Birmingham, and finally, the Asian Games in Nagoya. The young athlete attributes his exceptional technique to his cricket fast-bowling days during his teenage years. Pathirage, set to compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, has high ambitions, with the world championships in China (2027) and the Olympics as his subsequent targets.