Asian Games gold-medal favorite's javelin damaged on flight

Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage is Sri Lanka’s most likely contender for gold in the men’s javelin at the Asian Games.

But after the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate ChampionshipOn the flight home, his javelins were damaged, affecting his preparation plans.

Gold return marred by damaged javelins

The 23-year-old Pathirage won gold in Budapest with a personal best of 91.09 m. However, upon arriving at Katunayake International Airport, his otherwise triumphant return took an unexpected turn.

On Tuesday, Pathirage posted photos on social media of five damaged javelins, including the three he used at the Ultimate Championship, captioning them: “Thank you, Turkish Airlines.”

©x@Pathirage

Turkish Airlines response

Turkish Airlines did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment, as it was after normal working hours in Turkey.

He rose to world No. 1 last month. At the Aichi–Nagoya Asian Games, scheduled for September 19 to October 4, he is expected to contest the gold with Pakistan’s Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem.

©ig@Pathirage

“This may be the airline’s mistake, but it has caused me incalculable loss,” Pathirage told reporters. “It’s not a big deal; I will keep moving forward.”

Sri Lankan media reported that the country’s sports ministry will provide Pathirage with a new set of javelins.

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Asian Games gold-medal favorite's javelin damaged on flight — is Turkish Airlines responsible?