Pathirage adds new edge to Chopra-Nadeem rivalry ahead of Commonwealth javelin final

WEB DESK: Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem and India’s Neeraj Chopra are set to renew their javelin rivalry in Friday’s Commonwealth Games final, but Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Pathirage has emerged as the man to beat after a strong qualifying round in Edinburgh. The men’s javelin final will be held at Scotstoun Stadium on Friday at 12:15 PST (8:15pm local time).

Nadeem requested the nation to pray for his victory ahead of the game.

Pathirage topped Thursday’s standings with a throw of 82.84 metres, finishing ahead of Grenada’s Anderson Peters, who recorded 81.29 metres, and South Africa’s Douw Smit, who managed 80.84 metres. None of the 12 finalists crossed the automatic qualifying mark of 84 metres, with cold and windy conditions making it difficult for athletes to produce their best throws.

Chopra qualified in fifth place with 79.61 metres, while defending Commonwealth champion Nadeem finished seventh with 78.63 metres. The final is expected to be one of the strongest javelin contests of the Games, with several major international medallists in the field, including five of the top seven finishers from the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Nadeem enters the final as both the reigning Commonwealth champion and Olympic champion. He set the Commonwealth Games record with a 90.18-metre throw in 2022 before producing a stunning 92.97-metre effort at the Paris Olympics, which secured Pakistan’s first individual Olympic gold medal and set a new Olympic record.

Chopra, meanwhile, remains one of the most decorated javelin throwers in the field. The Indian star has dominated much of his head-to-head record against Nadeem, winning nine of their 10 meetings, according to World Athletics standings. His achievements include Olympic gold at Tokyo 2020, world championship gold in 2023, Asian Games titles and multiple Diamond League successes.

However, Pathirage’s rise has shifted attention towards Sri Lanka’s growing presence in the event. The 23-year-old has enjoyed a breakout season, highlighted by a massive 92.62-metre throw at the Rome Diamond League in May. That mark is among the best throws in the world and would be enough to break Nadeem’s Commonwealth Games record if repeated in the final.

Pathirage also won the Kip Keino Classic with 89.28 metres, finished second at the Rabat Diamond League, won in Doha with 88.68 metres and claimed victory at the Ostrava Golden Spike with 86.57 metres. His consistency this season has made him the favourite heading into the medal round.

Chopra said after qualifying that the conditions were difficult because of the cold and crosswinds, but added that his main aim was to reach the final. He also praised Pathirage’s form, saying the Sri Lankan had strengthened South Asia’s reputation in javelin.

Pathirage said he was pleased to qualify with his first throw and would aim for a personal best and gold in the final. Nadeem said the weather made throwing difficult, especially compared with conditions in Pakistan, but remained hopeful of another podium finish. He said his goal was to make the nation proud and fight for another gold medal.