Gold medalist, Japan's Haruka Kitaguchi celebrates with her National flag and gold medal after winning the women's javelin throw final during the World Athletics Championships at the National Athletics Centre in Budapest on August 25, 2023. (Photo by Kirill Kudryavtsev / AFP)
Budapes: Haruka Kitaguchi of Japan won the women's javelin world title on Friday in dramatic fashion producing the decisive effort in the final round with a mark of 66.73m.
The 25-year-old, who may well get to defend her title in front of her home fans in Tokyo in two years time, dashed the dreams of Colombia's Flor Denis Ruiz Hurtado. The 32-year-old had led from the first round with 65.47m and was unable to improve on it with her final effort.
Mackenzie Little of Australia also snuck into the medals with her final throw, taking bronze with 63.38m.
