Neeraj Chopra, one of India’s biggest medal hopes at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, won the silver medal. Meanwhile, Yashveer Singh surprised everyone by winning the bronze. This marked a double victory for India in the men’s javelin throw. Former Olympic and Commonwealth champion Neeraj Chopra, who entered the event as a gold medal contender, failed to secure the top spot. Young Sri Lankan thrower Romesh Tharanga Pathiraga defeated Neeraj to win the gold medal.
The most anticipated event for Indian fans at the Glasgow Games began on Friday evening, July 31st (late night in India). Neeraj Chopra, who missed the last Commonwealth Games due to injury, was expected to win the title once again. However, all eyes were on India’s Yashvir and Rohit Yadav, who were competing in the event for the first time. Also in focus was Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, who was the defending champion and current Olympic champion.
Neeraj could not defeat Pathiraga
Neeraj started well in the first round, but his real breakthrough came in the second. He threw the javelin to a record-high 85.83 meters, instantly becoming the No. 1 overall. Returning from a serious injury, Neeraj’s best throw of the season was his best. However, he didn’t hold onto this position for long, as Sri Lanka’s Pathiraga snatched the top spot from him in the same round with a powerful throw of 89.73 meters.
Neither of them could improve their throws in the next four rounds. No other thrower could surpass them. Thus, Pathiraga won the gold medal, Sri Lanka’s first gold medal at the CWG since 2006. Neeraj, who returned to the Games after 2018, had to settle for silver.
Arshad fails, Yashveer finally turns the tables
But this final saw two particularly surprising results. First, Arshad Nadeem, considered the number one contender for the gold, was eliminated in the first round of the final. Arshad, returning from injury, failed to break 80 meters even once in his first three throws and was eliminated. He didn’t make the final eight, preventing him from making his next three throws.
The second biggest surprise came in the final round of throws. Yashveer Singh, a first-time participant from Jaipur, was in sixth place, with a best throw of 81.33 meters. He seemed out of contention for a medal, but in his final attempt, Yashveer threw 85.41 meters, jumping straight to third place. This was his career best throw and helped him win his first bronze medal. India’s Rohit Yadav finished sixth.