Eugene, OR — In a sun-soaked showdown at Hayward Field, Haruka Kitaguchi, the reigning world champion from Japan, clinched victory in the Women’s Javelin Throw at the Prefontaine Classic – Eugene Diamond League Final 2023.
Kitaguchi, who also holds the world lead, threw a distance of 63.78 meters, outclassing her rivals from the second round, and she was never really challenged afterward. Japanese opened the competition with 59.36m and also threw 62.76m in the sixth round.
Read more: Day 1 schedule: Prefontaine Classic 2023, live results, stream
Meanwhile, Tori Peeters, a six-time New Zealand champion, secured second place today with a throw of 61.30 meters, while Mackenzie Little of Australia, the world bronze medalist, rounded out the podium with a throw of 61.24 meters.
Home favorite, Maggie Malone, the Olympic finalist from the United States, finished in fourth place with a throw of 60.42m and was the only other competitor beyond the 60-meter mark in today’s competition.
Weather Conditions in Eugene
The event took place under sunny skies, with a starting temperature of 19°C that rose to 22°C by the end of the competition. The humidity levels ranged from 61% at the beginning to 56% at the end, providing optimal conditions for the athletes.
Who Owns The Women’s Javelin Throw World Record?
The world record for the Women’s Javelin Throw stands at 72.28 meters, set by Barbora Špotáková of the Czech Republic in 2008. The Diamond League record of 69.57m is held by Germany’s Christina Obergföll.
Kitaguchi’s world-leading throw this year was 67.38 meters, achieved earlier this month in Brussels.
The Competition Overview
Kitaguchi’s performance was consistent, with her throws ranging from 58.50 meters to the winning 63.78 meters. Peeters also displayed strong form, her throws ranging from 58.29 meters to 61.30 meters.
Little, in the meantime, had a similar range, with her lowest throw at 52.06 meters and her highest at 61.24 meters, while Malone’s performance was marked by a throw of 60.42 meters, her best of the day.
Women’s Javelin Throw at the Wanda Diamond League Final 2023:
| Rank | Name | Nationality | Best Throw (m) | Throws (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Haruka Kitaguchi | JPN | 63.78 | 59.36, 63.78, x, 58.50, 59.06, 62.76 |
| 2 | Tori Peeters | NZL | 61.30 | 60.53, 58.66, x, 61.30, 58.79, 58.29 |
| 3 | Mackenzie Little | AUS | 61.24 | 61.24, 59.58, 58.96, 52.84, 56.77, 52.06 |
| 4 | Maggie Malone | USA | 60.42 | 56.18, x, 58.06, 57.56, x, 60.42 |
| 5 | Muze-Sirma Lina | LAT | 59.69 | 55.20, 56.75, 58.32, 59.69, x, 55.78 |
| 6 | Victoria Hudson | AUT | 57.99 | 57.24, x, 57.99, x, x, 56.53 |
| 7 | Liveta Jasiunaite | LTU | 57.45 | 56.86, 57.45, x, x, 56.60, x |
