Japan’s Haruka Kitaguchi Wins Gold in Dramatic Javelin World Championships

BUDAPEST (Reuters) – Japan’s Haruka Kitaguchi won gold at the javelin world championships on Friday with her final throw of 66.73 meters, beating Colombia’s Flor Denis Ruiz Hurtado, who was on course for an upset victory in the first round. .

Ruiz Hurtado arrived in Budapest with a best distance of just 63.84m (that was seven years ago) and had never threatened a podium finish at previous world events.

Yet somehow he found almost two meters more with his initial throw of 65.47, which was a South American record.

Ruiz Hurtado endured a harrowing night as his rivals tried and failed to match his opponent in the final round.

The Australian Mackenzie Little managed to score 63.38 points in the last round, to finally win the bronze medal.

Kitaguchi, who entered the competition with a world-leading margin of 67.04 points, was also out of the medals until the penultimate shot of the night clinched Japan’s first gold of the tournament.

“The main thing is just to believe, not to try to change anything,” said Kitaguchi, who won the bronze medal 12 months ago.

“Last year my goal was to reach the final, this time my goal was the gold medal.

«My coach was in the stands trying to motivate me, he was more or less yelling at me. But I think everything worked out on the last try and it was great.

“The javelin throw is not a very popular event in Japan, but I think it is becoming more and more popular now.”

silver delight

Ruiz Hurtado couldn’t answer with his final shot but was happy with the silver after the night of his life.

“I’m really speechless,” he said. “I have been dreaming and dreaming and dreaming, and finally this dream has come true.

«I thank everyone who has supported me on this path. I can’t wait to return to Colombia and celebrate this great achievement with my family and loved ones,” he added.

Things weren’t far off pace until the last attempt, which she described as the highlight of her career.

“I couldn’t have asked for more than to come back in the last round and go for the medals,” he said.

“It was a lot of fun, really the best competition. I had a lot of Fun. I achieved such a high rating (2nd), so it was a new challenge to have expectations on the world stage. Now I can’t wait any longer. more extensive.”

Her compatriot and two-time defending champion Kelsey Lee Barber, who reached the final in twelfth and last place in the heats in just 59.66m, finished seventh with a time of 61.19m.

Report by Mitch Phillips; Edited by Ken Ferris

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2023-08-27 20:11:00
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