The World Athletics Championships wrapped up August 27 in Budapest after 9 days of competition. Japan earned only one gold and one bronze medal, but it had a record 11 top-8 placings, many in events where Japan has typically lagged behind the rest of the world. After the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, the JAAF set about on a program to develop "unwavering athletes" in the lead-up to the Paris Olympics, raising the level of the sport by developing athletes who can perform reliably at the international level. Women’s javelin gold medalist Haruka Kitaguchi , 25, represents the kind of athlete the JAAF is looking for, along with first-ever World Championships 110 m hurdles finalist Shunsuke Izumiya , 23, 5th in Budapest, and 3000 m steeplechase 6th-placer Ryuji Miura , 21. All three were near the top of the world rankings going into Budapest and performed up to ability there. All of them show the "unshakability" the JAAF is pushing. All competed in Diamond League meets this seas...
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