Haruka Kitaguchi Triumphs at Golden Grand Prix, Eyes Paris Olympics

TOKYO (AFP-Jiji) — Women’s javelin world champion Haruka Kitaguchi of Japan is gaining momentum as she heads towards the Paris Olympics, following a victorious performance at the Golden Grand Prix in Tokyo on Sunday.

Stellar Performance in Tokyo

The 26-year-old athlete delivered an impressive final throw of 63.45 meters, securing first place ahead of Colombia’s Flor Denis Ruiz Hurtado, who threw 62.06 meters, and New Zealand’s Tori Peeters, who reached 61.26 meters. Kitaguchi’s winning throw was a testament to her rising form and determination.

A Historic Achievement

Kitaguchi made history last year in Budapest by becoming the first Japanese woman to win a world championship in a field event, outthrowing Ruiz Hurtado with her final effort. She followed this monumental achievement by claiming victory at the 2023 Diamond League finals.

Preparing for Paris

With the Paris Olympics just over two months away, Kitaguchi is focused on fine-tuning her performance. “I’ve been able to work on my physical conditioning for the past two weeks and it feels like I’m starting to get back into shape,” Kitaguchi stated. Despite her victory, she expressed a desire to achieve greater consistency, noting, “I’m happy that I won in the end, but I would have liked to have thrown 63 a little earlier.”

Olympic Aspirations

Kitaguchi will be competing in her second Olympics, having finished 12th at the Tokyo Games, which were delayed due to the pandemic. The competition will be fierce, with China’s Liu Shiying, Poland’s Maria Andrejczyk, and Australia’s Kelsey-Lee Barber being top contenders. Reflecting on her current performance, Kitaguchi said, “I don’t think my throws today would be good enough to win me a medal [in Paris] but I want to prepare over the next two or three weeks so that I’m able to get one.”

Japan’s Medal Hope

As Japan’s primary athletics medal hopeful, Kitaguchi carries the weight of national expectations on her shoulders. She is not only aiming for success in Paris but also preparing to shine when Tokyo hosts the world championships next year.

Haruka Kitaguchi’s journey to Paris promises to be one of dedication and resilience, as she strives to bring glory to her country and further cement her legacy in the world of athletics.

Source: https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/sports/other-sports/20240520-187237/

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