CWG 2026: Former Sri Lanka fast bowler Rumesh Pathirage stuns IND-PAK duo Neeraj Chopra and Arshad Nadeem to win javelin gold originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.KEY TAKEAWAYS:Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage wins Sri Lanka's first-ever Commonwealth Games javelin gold medal.Former fast bowler beats Neeraj Chopra; Yashvir Singh takes bronze medal.Arshad Nadeem finishes ninth as anticipated India-Pakistan showdown fails to materialise.Ex-cricketer Rumesh Pathirage stuns Neeraj Chopra and Arshad Nadeem to claim historic javelin goldA former medium pacer turned javelin thrower has written his name into history, as Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage delivered Sri Lanka's maiden Commonwealth Games gold in the men's javelin throw by overcoming a heavyweight field at Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow on Friday, July 31.Pathirage sealed victory with a massive 89.75m effort, finishing comfortably ahead of Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra, who took silver with 85.83m. India secured a second podium spot too, with Yashvir Singh claiming bronze courtesy of an 85.41m throw.Paris 2024 bronze medallist Anderson Peters of Grenada narrowly missed out on a medal, finishing fourth with 83.88m, while the much-hyped clash between defending Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan and his rivals never really got going, as the Pakistani thrower ended up ninth with a best effort of 77.41m.A double podium finish to remember! Congratulations to Neeraj Chopra for winning Silver and Yash Vir Singh for securing Bronze in the Men's Javelin Throw at the Commonwealth Games.Two Indians finishing on the podium is a historic first for this event. This is a truly pic.twitter.com/QmqnW2VJT1 Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) July 31, 2026From bowling pace to throwing gold: The Pathirage storyPathirage's journey to this podium began on a cricket field rather than an athletics track. The Sri Lankan now trains under coach Tony Prasanna, someone he credits with shaping both his technique and his outlook on life.It was coach Tony who introduced me to javelin. He always tells me that if I master the basics and do them the right way, I will eventually reap the rewards. He is more than a coach. He doesnt just teach me the sport but about life as well, Rumesh had told The Indian Express in an earlier interview.As a teenager, Pathirage was genuinely quick with the ball in hand, clocking speeds around 130 kph and once touching 134 kph at the Under-18 level, a tally that placed him second behind Eshan Malinga, who currently represents Sri Lanka and plays IPL cricket for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Even now, cricket remains a source of relaxation for him."I love playing cricket in my free time," he told Olympics.com. "Whenever I'm back home I love playing softball cricket with my friends in our village - it helps me relax; take my mind off my professional javelin."Where some Sri Lankan throwers before him showed flashes of brilliance without lasting results, most notably Sumedha Ranasinghe, the first Sri Lankan to breach the 85m mark before fading, Pathirage has built his reputation on reliability. He crossed the 82m mark on 13 separate occasions during the 2025 season alone, a level of consistency that sets him apart from past national talents in the event.Pathirage also spoke about how his success is shifting attention in Sri Lanka, a country where cricketers have traditionally dominated public fascination."Cricketers are the most popular characters in Sri Lanka, though the fame is slowly shifting to athletics," Pathirage said."After my massive throw and recent results, people are watching athletics again. It makes me very happy.Javelin throw has not been very popular in Sri Lanka - our athletes are mostly focused on 100m or 200m sprints.But now kids are trying their hands at the art of throwing - not just a javelin but anything they can find."Beating THREE Olympic champs, to take your country's first gold in 20 years. Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage puts Sri Lankan athletics on the map, securing the win in the men's javelin, and his nations first Commonwealth gold medal since 2006.#RoadToLA28pic.twitter.com/JIfxVfw459 The Olympic Games (@Olympics) July 31, 2026Rumesh Pathirage x Neeraj Chopra: A bond beyond tracksPathirage holds deep respect for Chopra, who ironically played a role in giving him his first taste of top-tier competition.Back in July 2025, he was invited to the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru, India's first javelin-specific meet. Chopra won that event, while Pathirage claimed bronze, finishing just behind former world champion Julius Yego of Kenya."Neeraj Chopra is a massive character in South Asia," Pathirage said."I am very close to him, and when we meet in competitions, we talk about javelin and other day-to-day things.India lined up a big long-term plan with Neeraj, and he has achieved it. The Olympic gold was a really proud moment for him and his country, and I'm happy for him."The young athlete will lock horns with Chopra again in LA 2028! The Indian poster boy was on a comeback trail in Glasgow after finally exorcising his lower back problems. At the Games in Los Angeles, he should be fit and firing on all cylinders. Athletic fans can't wait for that match-up!For all the latest cricket news, opinion, and commentary and to share your voice, head to ourFacebook,Instagram,andX (Twitter)pages.