Japanese athlete throws 65.80m in the first round to beat Jo-Ane van Dyk and Nikola Ogrodnikova

Haruka Kitaguchi won the world javelin title in Budapest 12 months ago with a last-gasp throw in the final round. This time the opposite happened as the 26-year-old from Japan secured gold with her first throw of the night.

Kitaguchi’s effort of 65.80m remained unbeaten as Jo-Ane van Dyk of South Africa won silver with a 63.93m throw on her third attempt and Nikola Ogrodnikova of the Czech Republic earned bronze with 63.68m.

Kitaguchi, who was 12^th in Tokyo three years earlier, said: "I cannot believe this. This wasn’t easy for me. Before, I couldn’t train well, but my physio and my team believed in me. Without their help, I cannot get gold today.

"Actually, my training throw wasn’t good. It was too much. But this time, I can throw 65.80m, so for me, really good."

Despite being in Japan, Kitaguchi trains in Czechia and explained: "I love Japan, but I have to train in Czechia because there are amazing athletes there, so I have to train there. I want to (come in) first, but it’s not easy."

Van Dyke said: "On the day, anything can happen. It’s anybody’s game. I feel like this Olympics has been one for the underdogs. I was like, okay, third round, I have to produce something big. Being in the top eight is going to be difficult. I was just trying to get into the top eight and pushing for top three. Luckily the third throw got me in there and it stayed there."

Ogrodnikova said: "I could not get focused with the first two attempts and I set my run-up too far away. I knew this surface was very fast, so I was scared I would make a foul. I was without proper rhythm. On the third, I ran relaxed and managed to throw it (well). I just realised then, I am good, I am really good."

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