Sri Lankan star Rumesh Pathirage’s javelin broken ahead of Asian Games
Pathirage's javelins, which he used to throw world-best distance, were broken on his flight back from Budapest.
Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage is Sri Lanka’s best hope for gold at the Asian Games, but his preparations have been thrown out of whack after his javelins were broken on a flight back from the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship.
The 23-year-old won gold in Budapest, Hungary, with a best throw of 91.09 metres to add yet another title to his growing collection this season, including Diamond League champion, Commonwealth Games champion, and the only thrower this season to register two throws over 92m.
But his triumphant homecoming turned sour when he landed in Katunayake to find his equipment broken.
“We checked in five javelins — all packed extremely carefully and well — but all of them arrived broken,” Prasanna told the AFP news agency.