Asian Games 2026: India secures double podium as Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Pathirage wins javelin gold

The newest star of the javelin throw is Rumesh Pathirage of Sri Lanka, who won the event on Monday (September 28, 2026) 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 (84.35).

Defending Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan was fourth (80.29).

Pathirage is the top thrower this season, including a victory in the recent World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest, Hungary.

South Asia has seldom delivered gold in the Olympics or other big track meets, but the javelin is different.

Neeraj Chopra of India took gold in the Tokyo Olympics — delayed by the pandemic until 2021. Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan won two years ago at the Paris Olympics. And now it’s Pathirage, the No. 1 thrower this season with a personal-best of 92.62.