Neeraj Chopra pursued Commonwealth javelin gold on Sunday as the athletics programme reached its climax. Sri Lanka's Rumesh Pathirage had pushed the Indian star with a qualifying throw of 89.75 metres, with the final drawing the largest crowds of the Games' track and field schedule.

Chopra, the reigning Olympic champion, had led the qualification rounds before Pathirage's second-round effort reshaped the medal contest. Several throwers were separated by narrow margins ahead of the decisive attempts.

The men's javelin was one of a cluster of finals scheduled across the closing weekend, with sprint, distance and field events also awarding medals. Athletics sessions delivered some of the strongest attendances of the multi-sport event.

A gold for Chopra would reinforce his standing as one of the Commonwealth's dominant field athletes and lift India's medal tally. A defeat to Pathirage would mark a significant breakthrough for Sri Lankan athletics on the international stage.

"Every competition against Neeraj raises your level," Pathirage told reporters after his qualifying throw. "I came here to compete for the podium, not just to take part."