India’s throwers rise in Chopra’s absence as Pathirage extends dominance.
India celebrated a proud moment in athletics at the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya, where Yashvir Singh and Rohit Yadav clinched silver and bronze in the men’s javelin throw. With Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra sidelined by injury, the duo stepped up to keep India on the podium.
Yashvir Singh delivered his finest performance yet, saving his best for the final round. His throw of 85.72m not only marked a personal milestone but also secured him the silver medal. The achievement capped a season of steady progress, following his bronze at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow earlier this year, where he had set a then‑personal best of 85.41m. His latest effort confirmed his rise as one of India’s most consistent performers in the discipline.
Rohit Yadav’s bronze medal carried equal weight. The Uttar Pradesh athlete has battled back from a serious elbow injury and surgery, returning to form with an impressive 87.05m throw at the National Inter‑State Championships in June. That performance placed him among the world’s elite, and his 84.35m effort in Nagoya reinforced his comeback story, adding another international medal to his tally.
The absence of Neeraj Chopra, India’s defending champion and two‑time Olympic medallist, meant added responsibility for Singh and Yadav. Both responded admirably, delivering India’s second double podium in javelin at a major multi‑sport event this year. Their success highlighted the depth of talent in Indian athletics and the resilience of its next generation of throwers.
At the top of the podium, however, stood Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage, whose season has been extraordinary. His winning throw of 88.55m in Nagoya added to a string of world‑class performances, including a world‑leading 92.62m in Rome and victories at the Commonwealth Games and the World Athletics Ultimate Championship. Pathirage has firmly established himself as the sport’s leading figure in 2026, consistently throwing beyond 90m and setting new benchmarks for his rivals.
For India, the silver and bronze medals were more than consolation in Chopra’s absence. They signalled Singh and Yadav’s emergence as serious contenders on the global stage. With Pathirage raising the bar, the challenge ahead is formidable, but India’s throwers have shown they are ready to meet it head‑on.
