Haruka Kitaguchi prepares for Asian Games with technical refinements

Japanese javelin thrower Haruka Kitaguchi, a gold medalist at the 2024 Paris Olympics and 2023 World Championships, is preparing for the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. In a recent interview with former table tennis player Kasumi Ishikawa, Kitaguchi discussed her technical refinements under the guidance of legendary coach Jan Zelezny.

Kitaguchi revealed that she is working to simplify her throwing technique by returning to a more direct approach. Specifically, she is eliminating the habit of lowering the javelin during her approach, a technique she had previously adopted from Zelezny’s era. She noted that the previous method caused visual distractions and loss of momentum, and she is now focusing on a more efficient, straight pull to optimize her performance.