Pakistan’s javelin thrower Muhammad Yasir Sultan secured a bronze medal at the Asian Throwing Championships on Friday, thanks to a superb season-best throw of 77.43 metres.
His opening attempt was a foul, but he registered 75.79m on his second throw. His third and fourth attempts measured 72.57m and 72.88m, respectively.
The fifth attempt was ruled a foul, before he finally unleashed his season-best throw of 77.43m on his sixth and final try, clinching the bronze medal.
His effort not only earned him a spot on the podium but also bettered his previous season best of 76.07 metres, recorded at the Asian Athletics Championships in May.
Sri Lanka’s Pathirage Rumesh Tharanga took gold with a powerful throw of 82.05 metres — the only throw over the 80-metre mark during the event. Japan’s Gen Naganuma earned the silver medal with a best attempt of 78.60 metres.
Yasir was Pakistan’s sole participant at the event. He was accompanied by national coach Fayyaz Bukhari during the competition.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s star javelin sensation and Olympic gold medallist Arshad Nadeem did not feature in the championship.
Arshad is currently in the rehabilitation phase following surgery and is yet to regain full fitness. He underwent successful surgery on his calf muscles last month in Cambridge.
He will also not be participating in the upcoming Poland and Switzerland Diamond League.
Arshad captured global attention last year when he shattered the Olympic javelin record with a remarkable throw of 92.97 metres at the Paris Olympics and clinched the coveted gold medal.