Pathirage wins javelin throw title at World Athletics Ultimate Championships, Nadeem finishes fifth ahead of Asian Games

Sri Lanka's Rumesh Pathirage went beyond the 90m mark in a third different competition this season on his way to the men’s javelin throw title at the World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest, Hungary, on Sunday. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Rumesh Pathirage sent a strong message to his rivals, including Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, for the upcoming Asian Games as the Sri Lankan sensation won the men’s javelin throw title at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest, Hungary, with yet another 90m-plus effort.

The 23-year-old Pathirage, who is having a breakout season, produced a huge throw of 91.09m in the fourth and final round to top the eight-man field. He received a special trophy and a prize money of USD 150,000.

It was the third competition in which he went beyond the 90m mark this year. He has a Personal Best of 92.62m.

In July, Pathirage beat India’s Neeraj Chopra, the defending champion, for the Commonwealth Games gold in Glasgow. This month, in Brussels, he won the Diamond League Final.

— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) September 13, 2026

Nadeem, who recorded a Personal Best of 92.97m when he clinched the gold medal at the Paris Olympics in 2024, could only manage a best attempt of 81.49m and finished fifth. The 29-year-old has been suffering from injury issues and Sunday’s performance was his Season’s Best.

Former World Champion Anderson Peters (86.18m) of Granada finished second while reigning European Champion Julian Weber (85.89m) of Germany stood third. Trinidad and Tobago’s Keshorn Walcott (82.41m), the current World Champion, took the fourth spot. Kenya’s Julius Yego (80.23m) finished in sixth place, Poland’s Dawid Wegner (77.21m) came seventh while USA’s Curtis Thompson (75.80m) finished eighth. Each of the top four athletes at the end of the three rounds got one extra throw.

The men’s javelin throw final at the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, will be held on September 28. Pathirage will be the heavy favourite for the gold medal while Nadeem will be a medal contender. Neeraj will not be able to defend his title as he has pulled out of the continental showpiece due to an ankle injury. Rohit Yadav and Yash Vir Singh will represent India in the event.

Published on Sep 13, 2026

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