Haruka Kitaguchi asserted her dominance in the women’s javelin competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics, securing Japan’s first gold medal in the event with a powerful opening throw of 65.80 meters. This remarkable feat cemented her position atop the podium from the very beginning, leaving her competitors in pursuit.
South Africa’s Jo-Ane van Dyk and Czechia’s Nikola Ogrodnikova delivered a series of impressive throws, but ultimately fell short of Kitaguchi’s initial mark, claiming silver and bronze respectively with their best efforts of 63.93 and 63.68 meters.
Last year, Kitaguchi’s world gold in Budapest required a final throw to clinch victory. However, at the Stade de France, she left little room for doubt, launching her season’s best throw right from the start. Ogrodnikova briefly held second place after her third throw, but van Dyk swiftly overtook her. Meanwhile, Rio winner Sara Kolak of Croatia, who finished fourth with a throw of 63.40 meters, expressed her frustration after her final attempt.
With the gold medal already secured, Kitaguchi displayed a mix of nervousness and composure as she approached her final throw. Maintaining a poker face throughout, she launched the javelin with a bonus effort, her emotions erupting shortly after as she embraced her team, the Japanese flag draped proudly over her shoulders. The resounding victory bell echoed her triumph, adding another layer of celebration to this momentous achievement.
