The journey of Haruka Kitaguchi, a female javelin thrower in track and field, to the top of the world involved an astonishing muscular transformation. In 2023, Kitaguchi won a gold medal at the World Championships and claimed victory in the Diamond League. Behind these achievements lies a hidden trail of effort, where she earnestly confronted her own body and undertook bold reforms.
Challenging the World and Facing Obstacles
Kitaguchi was born on March 16, 1998, in Asahikawa City, Hokkaido. From an early age, she showed promise in swimming and badminton. Upon entering high school, she took up track and field. Within just two months, she dominated the Hokkaido javelin throw competition. In her second year of high school, she won the National High School Athletic Meet, demonstrating her early blossoming talent.
In 2015, she was recognized as a ‘Diamond Athlete’ by the Japan Association of Athletics Federations, marking her as a future prospect. However, in 2016, she experienced a setback with a left elbow ligament injury. She also went through a period without a coach, facing various challenges along the way.
The turning point came in 2019 with her encounter with Czech coach David Sekerak. Kitaguchi traveled to the Czech Republic alone and began an intensive training journey with Sekerak. As a result, in October of the same year, she set a new Japanese record with a throw of 66.00 meters.
The Struggle with Muscle
While Kitaguchi is blessed with a height of 179cm, around the fall of 2020, she was unable to use her body effectively, a situation described as ‘wasted potential.’ Initially, she had a tendency to slouch and lean slightly forward in her posture. In javelin throwing, the twist of the torso is particularly crucial, and this posture was said to negatively impact her throws.
The coach’s first piece of advice was to improve her running form. To enhance the coordination between her upper and lower limbs and smooth out her hip rotation, they revisited basic movements such as climbing stairs and running with a wide stride.
However, a defeat at the Japanese Championships in June 2023 marked a turning point. Kitaoka and his coach conducted a thorough review of his training methods and intensity. Their analysis revealed that excessive weight training had led to an increase in muscle mass, compromising the flexibility of his shoulders and hindering his once-fluid throwing motion.
Bold Decision
Kitaguchi made a bold decision to significantly alter his training regimen mid-season. By reducing weight training and focusing on conditioning, he aimed to regain his lost flexibility. “I realized that I had built up too much muscle, especially in areas that weren’t necessary, and that the quality of my muscles had become too stiff,” Kitaguchi reflected. “If I had continued on that path, I probably would have lost my throwing ability. So, I made the decision to cut back on weight training. That was the biggest decision this season.” He emphasized the significance of this choice.
remarkable achievement
This radical overhaul produced nothing short of miraculous results. After suffering a setback at the Japan Nationals, Kitaguchi had less than three months to turn things around. He did just that, fine-tuning his body and technique to perfection. The culmination of his efforts was a gold medal at the World Championships. The manner of his victory was truly extraordinary. Trailing in fourth place heading into the final round, Kitaguchi uncorked a massive 66.73-meter throw to seize the lead. His ability to maintain such intense focus under such pressure was nothing short of phenomenal. ‘I don’t know if this qualifies as being in the zone, as it was a new experience for me,’ Kitaguchi said. ‘But one thing’s for sure, I was extremely focused.
Kitaguchi Solidifies Her Status as World’s Top Athlete, Sets Sights on Paris Gold
Haruka Kitaguchi, the reigning world champion in women’s javelin throw, has further solidified her status as one of the world’s top athletes by clinching the Diamond League final. With her eyes set on the 2024 Paris Olympics, Kitaguchi is determined to reach even greater heights.
“I’m incredibly motivated to win gold in Paris,” she said. “I believe being an Olympic champion is on a completely different level.” Overwhelmed by the aura of the world’s top athletes at the Tokyo Olympics, Kitaguchi is now aiming to embody that same aura.
Kitaguchi’s achievements go beyond personal records. She is a beacon of hope for Japanese track and field, particularly for women’s field events. “I’ve always wanted to be the first Japanese athlete to achieve many things,” she said. “I feel like I’ve created a new piece of history.” Her words carry a powerful message for future athletes.
Aiming for a gold medal in Paris, Kitaguchi has set a goal of throwing over 65 meters. “To win an Olympic medal, I believe I need to throw at least 65 meters, and even further for gold. I want to throw over 65 meters in Paris and do everything I can to aim for gold,” she said with determination.
As Kitaguchi continues to evolve through her training, she is showcasing new possibilities in the world of sports. With the Paris Olympics on the horizon, expectations are high for her next “big throw.”
Congratulations Kitaguchi
At the Paris Olympics on August 10th, Kitaguchi showcased a big throw of 68.80 meters on her first attempt, her season's best. With this performance, she secured the gold medal, becoming the first Japanese woman to win gold in a track and field event!! Congratulations Kitaguchi