Reigning Champion Haruka Kitaguchi Misses Javelin Final at World Athletics Championships in Tokyo

Haruka Kitaguchi, the reigning world and Olympic champion in women's javelin throw, failed to advance to the final round at the World Athletics Championships held in Tokyo, finishing 14th overall with a best throw of 60.38 meters. This outcome was a significant disappointment for the 27-year-old, who had been a favorite after winning gold in Budapest in 2023 and the Paris Olympics in 2024, becoming the first Japanese woman to claim a world title in a field event and an Olympic gold outside of the marathon. Kitaguchi's performance was hampered by injuries, including an elbow injury that sidelined her for two months, affecting her preparation and execution during the qualifiers. Despite the setback and her emotional response, Kitaguchi expressed gratitude for the strong support from the home crowd and maintained a positive outlook on her athletic future. The qualifying standard was 62.5 meters or a top 12 finish, with Serbia's Adriana Vilagos and Australia's Mackenzie Little leading the qualifiers. Kitaguchi's coach, David Sekerak, and her training in the Czech Republic were noted, emphasizing her status as a key figure in Japanese athletics.