Pathirage’s gold quest stalls after 3 javelins break during transit. The Sri Lankan star was returning from a Turkish Airlines flight to Colombo when the three javelins were found cracked and bent, a blow that threatens his Asian Games bid.
This season, Pathirage has been a juggernaut: a 92.62‑metre throw in Rome, a 92.07‑metre in Zurich, and a 91.09‑metre in Budapest – all over 90‑metre marathons that had him poised as the world’s top javelin thrower.
He told reporters at the airport, “All three javelins I used for over 90 throws have been damaged. It might have been a mistake by the airline, but that’s how it is. It’s not a big issue. I’ll move on.”
The sports minister said the government will supply a new set and is looking into compensation. “Our government will stand behind our athletics star and his Olympic dream,” the minister said, hinting at legal and diplomatic steps.
With Neeraj Chopra sidelined by injury and Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem out of form, Pathirage enters Nagoya as the overwhelming favourite for the gold.
He’ll get the new javelins and head to the Asiad in Nagoya on Thursday, where the high‑stakes showdown will resume.