Rumesh Pathirage to contest men's javelin at Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya on September 28

Rumesh Pathirage will compete in the men's javelin throw at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on September 28. He enters the event as one of the prime favourites after a strong 2026 season.

Athletics at the Asian Games 2026 began on September 24, with hundreds of athletes competing across track and field disciplines including the men's javelin throw. The 23-year-old Pathirage is expected to challenge for his maiden Asian Games medal. In 2026 he won the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest with a throw of 91.09m, took gold at the Commonwealth Games 2026 with a best of 89.75m finishing above Neeraj Chopra, and won the Diamond League Final 2026 in Brussels with a best throw of 89.04m.

Neeraj Chopra has pulled out of the Aichi-Nagoya Games; he withdrew from the competition due to injury and will not compete in the men's javelin throw event. Pathirage faces competition from Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem, described in coverage as the reigning Olympic champion, India's Yash Vir Singh, identified as a recent CWG bronze medallist, and Rohit Yadav, referred to as India’s second-best all-time thrower.

Unlike previous editions, when qualification and finals were held separately, the men's javelin competition at these Games will be conducted as a one-day event.

In India, fans can watch the continental tournament live online on the SonyLIV app and website, with television coverage on the Sony Sports Network channels. The event will be carried on Sony Sports Ten 2, Sony Sports Ten 3, Sony Sports Ten 4 and Sony Sports Ten 5 SD/HD channels. For more updates, Khel Now advises following its Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts or using the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and joining its WhatsApp and Telegram communities.

The men's javelin throw final will take place on September 28 at 4:55 PM IST, when Pathirage is due to compete for his first Asian Games medal.