For Arshad Nadeem, the Asian Games were supposed to be another chance to rediscover the form that made him an Olympic champion. Instead, the Pakistan star's difficult 2026 continued in Nagoya, where he missed out on the podium despite producing his best throw of the season.
At the other end of the spectrum stood Sri Lanka's Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage, who capped a remarkable year by becoming the first Sri Lankan to win Asian Games gold in the men's javelin. His 88.55m effort sealed the title and added another major achievement to a season in which he has emerged as one of the world's leading throwers.
ASIAN GAMES LIVE: SEPT 28 UPDATES | MEDAL TABLE
Pathirage had to work for his historic victory. He made a slow start, opening with 73.53m before improving to 83.34m. A foul followed, leaving him behind India's Yashvir Singh and Rohit Yadav at the halfway stage.
But the Sri Lankan found another gear when it mattered. His fourth throw travelled 88.33m to take him to the top before he bettered it in his final attempt, sending the javelin 88.55m. The rain made conditions challenging, but Pathirage kept his composure to finish on top.
The Asian Games gold is the latest jewel in an extraordinary 2026 for the 23-year-old. He won Commonwealth Games gold earlier this year and has also dominated the Diamond League circuit, winning the final as well as five Diamond League meetings. His 92.62m effort in Rome in June remains the year's best throw and a Sri Lankan record. Courtesy: Asian Games ARSHAD NADEEM FALLS SHORT AGAIN Nadeem finished fourth with 80.29m, his best mark of the season, but it was not enough to get him onto the podium. He opened with 76.69m, fouled his second attempt and then produced 80.29m with his third. His final three attempts were fouls as the Olympic champion's Asian Games campaign ended without a medal.
It has been a difficult year for Nadeem. At the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the defending champion finished ninth with a best of 77.41m. He subsequently skipped the Lausanne Diamond League to focus on preparations and travelled to Potchefstroom, South Africa, for a two-week training stint with his coach Terseus Liebenberg and local trainers.
But even after that overseas training camp, Nadeem could not produce the throw he needed in the rain-hit Asian Games final.
While the Pakistani star continues his search for his best, Pathirage's remarkable season has reached another historic peak, a gold medal that will forever carry Sri Lanka's name into the Asian Games javelin record books. - Ends
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