Asian Games gold contender Rumesh Pathirage left without his 90m-plus javelins

Sri Lankan javelin star Rumesh Pathirage has suffered an untimely equipment setback ahead of the Asian Games after three of the javelins he used for his 90m-plus throws this season were damaged while being transported back from Hungary.

Pathirage had just capped a remarkable season by winning the men’s javelin title at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest on Sunday with a throw of 91.09m.

He discovered the damage to his equipment after returning to Sri Lanka and subsequently lodged a complaint with Turkish Airlines.

The damaged javelins are particularly significant because they were the same implements Pathirage used to produce all three of his 90m-plus throws this season.

He has established himself as one of the leading javelin throwers in the world, recording 92.62m in Rome and 92.07m in Zurich before his 91.09m effort in Budapest.

Pathirage, however, played down the setback and said he intended to move on from the incident.

The 23-year-old has nevertheless been left with the immediate task of arranging suitable replacement equipment before the Asian Games.

The timing is significant as Pathirage enters the competition after an exceptional run of form.

He has won 11 of his last 12 international competitions and has also claimed major titles at the Commonwealth Games and Diamond League Final this season.

Elite javelin throwers often develop familiarity with specific equipment, with factors such as weight, balance, stiffness and flight characteristics influencing performance.

The loss of competition javelins therefore presents more than a routine equipment issue, particularly when a major championship is only days away.

Pathirage will now look to put the disruption behind him as he targets another major title at the Asian Games, where his recent performances make him one of the leading contenders for gold.