Sri Lanka’s Pathirage targets Asian Games gold after record season
The world number one is seeking the Asian Games title and a mark beyond the 92.97-metre continental record, while naming Olympic gold for Sri Lanka as his biggest ambition.
Sri Lankan javelin thrower Rumesh Pathirage is aiming to close his season with Asian Games gold and a bid to surpass the 92.97-metre Asian record. The result is pending in Al Jazeera’s report, which says the competition is due on Saturday.
Al Jazeera reports that the 23-year-old has won all but one of his competitions since February, become world number one and taken the Diamond League final. It describes him as the first Sri Lankan to win that final.
Pathirage told Al Jazeera that his biggest prize would be Olympic gold for Sri Lanka. The report says he has twice crossed 92 metres this season.
His training and travel have been supported by the Sri Lankan air force, which he represents, and members of the diaspora, according to the report. Pathirage said he had no international sportswear brand sponsorship.
When well-wishers offered money to replace javelins broken before the Asian Games, Pathirage asked them to redirect it to struggling athletes. He has also said he wants his success to show younger Sri Lankans that careers beyond cricket are possible.
