Sri Lanka's Pathirage wins javelin gold, reports damaged equipment

Sri Lankan javelin thrower Rumesh Pathirage won the men's javelin title at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest on September 13, 2026, with a throw of 91.09 metres. The victory capped a dominant season for the 23-year-old, who has now won 11 of his last 12 international competitions. Pathirage secured the win with a decisive final throw in the four-round competition. After opening with a modest 75.89 metres, he improved to 85.69 metres in the second round and took the lead with 87.11 metres in the third. He then launched the javelin 91.09 metres in the final round, finishing nearly five metres ahead of silver medallist Anderson Peters of Grenada, who threw 86.18 metres. Germany's Julian Weber took bronze with 85.89 metres. The Budapest title adds to Pathirage's recent victories at the Diamond League Final and the Commonwealth Games. He has produced three throws beyond 90 metres this season, including a world-leading 92.62 metres in Rome in June and 92.07 metres in Zurich in August. His Rome throw remains the eighth-best mark in history and a Sri Lankan national record. Following the competition, Pathirage reported a setback while returning to Colombo.