Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage won the gold medal in the men’s javelin throw at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with a winning throw of 88.55 metres. This is Sri Lanka’s first gold medal at the Games.
The competition was held under challenging rainy conditions, which made the event difficult for all the competitors.
Tharanga began the final with a throw of 73.53 metres and was in third place after the first three rounds. He then moved into the lead with his fourth attempt, recording a throw of 88.33 metres.
Although his fifth attempt was unsuccessful, Tharanga produced his best throw of the competition with his sixth and final attempt, sending the javelin 88.55 metres to secure the gold medal.
India’s Yashvir Singh won the silver medal with a throw of 85.72 metres, while his compatriot Rohit Yadav claimed the bronze medal with 84.35 metres. Sri Lanka’s Sumedha Ranasinghe finished sixth with a best throw of 78.08 metres.
The victory marks Sri Lanka’s first gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games
