World javelin champion Kitaguchi lays down marker in Tokyo

Tokyo: Women s javelin world champion Haruka Kitaguchi of Japan said she is beginning to find form ahead of the Paris Olympics, after winning at the G...

Tokyo: Women's javelin world champion Haruka Kitaguchi of Japan said she is beginning to find form ahead of the Paris Olympics, after winning at the Golden Grand Prix in Tokyo on Sunday.

The 26-year-old launched a final throw of 63.45m to jump into first place ahead of Colombia's Flor Denis Ruiz Hurtado on 62.06m and New Zealand's Tori Peeters on 61.26m.

Kitaguchi also beat Ruiz Hurtado with her final effort last year in Budapest to become the first Japanese woman ever to win a world championship in a field event.

She followed that up by triumphing at the 2023 Diamond League finals and she is aiming for more success at the Paris Games in just over two months' time.

"I've been able to work on my physical conditioning for the past two weeks and it feels like I'm starting to get back into shape," said Kitaguchi.