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Javelin Thrower Haruka Kitaguchi Captures Japan's First Gold Medal at 2023 World Championships

Haruka Kitaguchi launched her javelin 66.73 meters through the air in Budapest on her final attempt of the competition, securing her first world title.

Published

8 months ago

August 26, 2023

Ed Odeven

Haruka Kitaguchi celebrates after winning the women's javelin gold medal at the 2023 World Athletics Championships on August 25 in Budapest. (ⒸSANKEI)

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Haruka Kitaguchi triumphed in the women's javelin final at the World Athletics Championships on Friday, August 25 in Budapest. She saved her best for last, launching her best throw on her sixth and final attempt.

On her last throw, Kitaguchi's javelin soared 66.73 meters through the air around 9:30 PM in the Hungarian capital.

And then two more athletes each had one last attempt to earn a better mark.

First up, Latvia's Anete Kocina's attempt traveled 62.02 meters. After Kocina, Colombia's Flor Denis Ruiz Hurtado had the final throw, which was recorded as 60.97.

Kitaguchi, who had the world's top throw of 2023 (67.04) at a Diamond League meet in Chorzow, Poland, on July 16, maintained her poise and didn't try to change her routine at all.

Kitaguchi Achieves Her Goal

"The key thing was to just believe it, not to try to change anything," Kitaguchi said, according to Reuters. "Last year my goal was just to get into the final. This time my goal was gold."

Kitaguchi commended her coach for encouraging her during the competition.

"My coach was in the stands and tried to motivate me, he was more or less screaming at me," Kitaguchi said of Czech mentor David Sekerak. "But I think everything just came together in the last attempt and it was great."

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Author: Ed Odeven

Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.