Yashvir Singh, Rohit Yadav deliver double javelin medals in absence of Neeraj Chopra

Indian javelin throwers Yashvir Singh and Rohit Yadav came through in the absence of Neeraj Chopra to win silver and bronze at the 2026 Asian Games. Yashvir saved his best in his final attempt, throwing a personal best of 85.72m, while Rohit secured the bronze with a performance of 84.35m.

Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage once again stood between India and the gold, clearing 88.55m for the title. The 23-year-old was the dominant javelin thrower of 2026 with a world record of 92.62m, Commonwealth Games gold and world No.1.

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For Yashvir, silver has capped a rapid rise over the past few months. He already announced himself at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where his final throw of 85.41m earned him bronze and a personal record at the time. His 85.72 in Nagoya was another improvement and this time it took him one place on the podium.

Rohit’s bronze was another important indicator of his comeback. The Uttar Pradesh thrower returned from a serious elbow injury and surgery to throw 87.05m at the National Interstate Championships in June, becoming only the third Indian to clear 87m. The effort also placed him among the world’s leading throwers ahead of the Asian Games.

The pair were given more responsibility after Neeraj, the defending Asian Games champion and two-time Olympic medallist, withdrew due to a ligament injury. They responded with India’s second double podium in the event at a major multi-sport competition this year, but Pathirage’s remarkable season continued.

RUMESH JUST WINS

Pathirage’s gold was hardly disturbed. He had already beaten Neeraj and Yashvir at the Commonwealth Games when he threw 89.75m to win the gold while Yashvir won the bronze with 85.41m.

Since then, the Sri Lankan has continued to produce numbers that put him in a different group. His 92.62 m in Rome made him the first man to break 90 m in 2026 and remains the world leader. He also threw 92.07 m in Zurich and 91.09 m at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest.

INDIA’S FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT FOR JAVES

Yashvir and Rohit now have another major podium finish to add to the 2026 season. Yashvir moved from Commonwealth bronze to silver at the Asian Games, while Rohit backed up his breakthrough 87m with a continental medal.

And while Neeraj’s absence was always going to change the competition, India still walked away with two medals from an event where its next generation was expected to shoulder the responsibility.

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