Asian Games 2026: Rumesh Pathirage’s Javelins Damaged In Flight

Last Updated:September 15, 2026, 2:19 PM IST

Sri Lankan javelin thrower Rumesh Pathirage’s five “winning” javelins were damaged during air travel.

Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage has breached the 90m thrice this season. (PTI Photo)

Sri Lankan javelin star Rumesh Pathirage has been dealt an untimely blow before the Asian Games after all five of the javelins he used to produce his best results this season were damaged during a flight.

pathirage23, was travelling back to Sri Lanka from Budapest following his appearance at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship on September 13. The equipment was damaged while being transported on a Turkish Airlines flight.

“All five of my winning javelins were damaged inside the aircraft. I was trying to use them at the upcoming Asian Games, the 2028 Olympics and the World Championship,” Pathirage said.

The athlete has since filed a complaint with Turkish Airlines over the damage.

The incident comes at a particularly difficult time for Pathirage, who has emerged as one of the leading javelin throwers in international athletics this year. He has surpassed 90 metres on three occasions in 2026, with each of those landmark throws coming using one of the damaged javelins.

Pathirage’s remarkable run has also included a historic victory over two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra in July. His triumph in Glasgow delivered Sri Lanka its first athletics gold at the Commonwealth Games since 1950.

He has continued that form on the international circuit, winning 11 of his past 12 competitions. His latest major success came at the Diamond League Final in Brussels earlier this month.

With the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games beginning on Saturday, Pathirage enters the competition as the leading contender for the javelin gold, despite the setback involving his equipment.

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How were Rumesh Pathirage’s javelins damaged ahead of the 2026 Asian Games?

All five of Rumesh Pathirage’s winning javelins were damaged inside the aircraft while being transported on a Turkish Airlines flight. The 23-year-old Sri Lankan athlete was traveling back to Sri Lanka from Budapest after competing at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship on September 13, 2026.

What is Rumesh Pathirage’s personal best javelin throw distance?

Rumesh Pathirage’s personal best and national record throw is 92.62 meters, which he achieved to win the Rome Diamond League in June 2026. This historic effort made him only the fourth Asian athlete to breach the coveted 90-meter mark.

How did Rumesh Pathirage perform at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow?

Rumesh Pathirage won the gold medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow with a throw of 89.75 meters, defeating two-time Olympic medalist Neeraj Chopra. This historic victory delivered Sri Lanka its first athletics gold medal at the Commonwealth Games since 1950.

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Feroz Khan

Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience …Read More

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