Rumesh Pathirage of Sri Lanka wins javelin at Asian Games. Javelin's a specialty in South Asia
The javelin is often overlooked by casual fans of track and field, but it's a gold-medal specialty in South Asia — specifically for India, Pakistan and now Sri Lanka. The newest star is Rumesh Pathirage of Sri Lanka, who won the event Monday at the Asian Games under a light drizzle with a throw of 88.33 meters. Yashvir Singh of India took silver (85.14) with bronze for fellow Indian Rohit Yadav…
NAGOYA, Japan (AP) — Javelin, once a minor component of track and field, has emerged as a gold-medal specialty in South Asia, with India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka leading the way. Rumesh Pathirage, a standout from Sri Lanka, clinched the gold medal at the Asian Games on Monday with a throw of 88.33 meters in a light drizzle. Yashvir Singh of India secured the silver at 85.14 meters, while Rohit Yadav of India claimed bronze with 84.35 meters. Defending Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan placed fourth with a throw of 80.29 meters.
Pathirage has been the premier thrower this season, having claimed victory at the recent World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest, Hungary. His personal best of 92.62 meters has fueled his impressive performance. South Asia's contribution to Olympic gold medals has been scarce in recent years, with India's last gold being Neeraj Chopra's in Tokyo during the delayed 2021 Olympics.
Pakistan's last Olympic gold was Arshad Nadeem's in Paris two years ago, while Sri Lanka has yet to win an Olympic gold medal. The scarcity of Olympic success in South Asia is poised to change, as cricket gains prominence in the 2028 and 2032 Olympic Games.
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Also reported by 1 other outlet
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