Tokyo World Athletics Championships 2025: In Women’s Javelin Showdown Kitaguchi, Tzengko, and Vilagos Lead a World-Class Field

By: Denise N. Fyffe

The women’s javelin throw in Tokyo 2025 promises to be one of the most competitive events of the championships, bringing together seasoned champions and rising stars all aiming for global glory.

Elina Tzengko: Greece’s Rising Star

Elina Tzengko of Greece arrives in Tokyo with growing momentum. Already a European champion, she now sets her sights on adding a world title to her collection. The 22-year-old dominated the Diamond League season, winning the Final in Zurich with 64.57m. Along the way, she showcased consistency and composure, capturing victories in Xiamen (64.76m), Keqiao (64.75m), and Rabat (64.60m). Tzengko has proven she can handle pressure at the highest level, and Tokyo could be her breakthrough on the global stage.

Haruka Kitaguchi: Japan’s Golden Hope

Reigning Olympic and World Champion Haruka Kitaguchi is a national hero in Japan and will be competing in front of a passionate home crowd. Kitaguchi has established herself as one of the most reliable performers in the sport, capturing gold in Budapest 2023 and again at the Paris Olympics in 2024. This season, she claimed two Diamond League titles and recorded a seasonal best of 64.63m in Oslo. With the weight of a nation behind her, Kitaguchi will be determined to extend her dominance and defend her global crown.

Adriana Vilagos: Serbia’s Record Breaker

At just 21, Adriana Vilagos has already built an impressive résumé, with two consecutive World U20 titles (2021, 2022) and two European silver medals (2022, 2024). Her technical precision and steady improvement have made her a serious contender. In April, she raised the bar for Serbian athletics by breaking the national record with a remarkable throw of 67.22m. Later in the season, she showcased her adaptability by winning in Lausanne under heavy rain with 63.02m. Vilagos is a name to watch—Tokyo could well be her arrival as a senior global medalist.

Other Key Contenders

The field is packed with world-class talent:

Flor Denis Ruiz Hurtado (Colombia): World silver medallist in Budapest 2023 and South American record holder (66.70m).
Jo-Anne Du Plessis (South Africa): Claimed Olympic silver in Paris 2024, proving she thrives under championship pressure.
Mackenzie Little (Australia): Secured world bronze in Budapest 2023 and continues to show the ability to peak when it matters most.

With such a deep line-up, the women’s javelin promises drama, high stakes, and potentially record-breaking performances.

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About the writer: Denise N. Fyffe is a publisher and author for more than 15 years. She has written more than 70 books and enjoys mentoring, gardening and traveling. She is also a trainer and educator, helping others to achieve their dreams.