{
  "id": 10580779,
  "title": "Asian Games javelin gold medallist Rumesh Tharanga once bowled at 134 kmph",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/asian-games-javelin-gold-medallist-rumesh-tharanga-once-bowled-at-134",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-29T00:57:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/sport/asian-games-javelin-gold-medallist-rumesh-tharanga-once-bowled-at-134-kmph-1.500691381"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Sri Lankan javelin throw champion Rumesh Tharanga, 23, achieved a historic victory at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, clinching the gold medal for his nation. With his final throw of 88.55 meters, the World No. 1 athlete secured Sri Lanka’s first gold of the Games, surpassing India’s Yashvir Singh (84.72m) and Rohit Yadav (84.35m). Prior to his success in javelin, Tharanga was first a cricket player, excelling as a fast bowler until 2017. His remarkable speed, clocked at 134 kmph, led him to believe he could have had a successful cricket career. He credits his transition to javelin to the similar movement patterns he developed from fast bowling, stating that cricket's individual nature made it a more appealing choice for him compared to a team sport.",
  "summary": "Rumesh Tharanga is no ordinary athlete. The 23-year-old Sri Lankan made history on Monday by winning the gold medal in the men’s javelin throw at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, securing Sri Lanka’s first gold of the Games. GOLD FOR SRI LANKA World No. 1 Rumesh Tharanga wins GOLD in the men’s javelin throw at the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, with a stunning throw of 88.55m Congratulations,…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Asian Games: Malaysia-Thailand takraw rivalry part 2",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/asian-games-malaysia-thailand-takraw-rivalry-part-2",
        "published": "2026-09-28T23:00:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Khaosod English",
        "title": "Thailand beats Malaysia to reclaim Asian Games takraw gold",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/thailand-beats-malaysia-to-reclaim-asian-games-takraw-gold",
        "published": "2026-09-29T03:04:59.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}