Rumesh Pathirage Wins Gold in Javelin at Asian Games

Sri Lankan Javelin Thrower Wins Gold at Asian Games

Rumesh Pathirage of Sri Lanka topped the podium with a throw of 88.55m, securing gold at the Asian Games on Monday. Yashvir Singh and Rohit Yadav of India took silver and bronze, respectively, with throws of 85.72m and 84.35m.

Pathirage’s victory marks the first time three South Asian javelin throwers have medalled at the Games. The 23-year-old has had a dominant season, winning all but one competition he entered this year. He became the only thrower to breach the 92m mark in a year and holds the world lead with a throw of 92.62m set earlier this month.

India’s Yashvir Singh upgraded to silver with a personal best of 85.72m, while Rohit Yadav took bronze with 84.35m. Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem finished fourth with a throw of 80.29m. Reigning champion Neeraj Chopra of India did not compete due to a ligament tear.

In the women’s final, China’s Yan Ziyi broke the Games record with a throw of 70.46m. Japan’s Haruka Kitaguchi took silver with a national record of 68.92m, while Sae Takemoto threw a season’s best 62.15m for bronze.

Source: Al Jazeera