Archive · 15 Sep 2026
Javelins Damaged After Pathirage’s Historic Ultimate Championship Triumph
Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage is a javelin athlete from Sri Lanka.
He recently won an important competition in Budapest.
His winning throw travelled 91.09 metres.
He also received a prize of USD 150,000.
On his flight home from Hungary, some of his special javelins were damaged.
Reports differed on whether four javelins or the three he used most were damaged.
Pathirage shared pictures of the broken equipment online.
A complaint was filed with Turkish Airlines, but he said he would move on.
This happened after a season in which he won many major competitions.
Sri Lankan javelin thrower Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage reported damage to specialised equipment during his flight home from Hungary.
Reports said four competition javelins were damaged, while Pathirage said all three he used extensively were affected.
Pathirage posted images online, thanked Turkish Airlines sarcastically, and a complaint was filed with the airline.
He won the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest with a 91.09-metre throw and earned USD 150,000.
The 23-year-old also set a Sri Lankan record of 92.62 metres and won the Zurich Diamond League this season.
- Who
- Sri Lankan javelin thrower Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage and Turkish Airlines.
- What
- Pathirage’s specialised competition javelins were damaged during his return flight after he won the World Athletics Ultimate Championship.
- When
- After Pathirage’s victory in Budapest; the articles do not give an exact date.
- Where
- During a flight home from Hungary, following the championship in Budapest.
- Why
- The reported damage occurred during air transit; the cause was not established, though Pathirage suggested it may have been an airline mistake.
- Athlete
- Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage, a 23-year-old Sri Lankan javelin thrower
- Championship result
- Won the men’s javelin title at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship
- Winning throw
- 91.09 metres
- Prize money
- USD 150,000, described as nearly LKR 50 million
- Equipment damage
- Reports said four specialised javelins were damaged; Pathirage said all three he used for more than 90 throws were damaged
- National record
- 92.62 metres, set in Rome in June
- Airline response
- A complaint was filed with Turkish Airlines; no airline response was provided