DL Final Women’s Javelin — Kitaguchi Claims Second Diamond

The labors of Haruka Kitaguchi and Czech coach David Sekerák yielded a second straight DL title. (JIRO MOCHIZUKI/AGENCE SHOT)

PARIS CHAMPION Haruka Kitaguchi is certainly a fan of Brussels. Twelve months ago, the popular Japanese thrower unleased a 221-1 (67.38) Japanese Record before flying over to Eugene and clinching her first DL title. This time around she won in the Belgian capital with a season’s best 216-11 (66.13).

Kitaguchi led from the second round with 213-6 (65.08) only to see Serbian prodigy Adriana Vilagoš, still only 20, overtake her and get her fifth NR of the year in the final stanza when she sent her implement out to 214-0 (65.23).

However, the Olympic gold medalist responded, as she seems to do so often, with her final throw.

Kitaguchi is now 8 and 10 for 2024 and will be relishing next year as she’s her country’s one big hope for a title at next summer’s World Champs on home soil in Tokyo.

“I didn’t feel that good today, because it has been a long season after the Olympics,” Kitaguchi reflected. “I’ve been really tired [Brussels was her first competition since the Games] and I didn’t train that much. The preparation for this Diamond League Final was not the best, but I’m satisfied with the result. Especially that I’ve been able to take the win on my last throw.”

OT winner Maggie Malone Hardin got some compensation for her disappointing Olympics, in which she failed to make the final, throwing 204-9 (62.40) for 3rd place.

Results

1. Haruka Kitaguchi (Jpn) 216-11 (66.13); 2. Adriana Vilagoš (Srb) 214-0 (65.23); 3. Maggie Malone Hardin (US) 204-9 (62.40); 4. Victoria Hudson (Aut) 204-5 (62.30); 5. Mackenzie Little (Aus) 201-9 (61.50); 6. Flor Dennis Ruiz (Col) 179-1 (54.59).