Gas engines are at WOT at cranking RPM . Is a diesel the same ?
Many small petrol engines, on things like mowers, usually require choke to be applied by moving the throttle lever past the max rpm position - this is the main reason why they go to WOT at start.
There is another factor - the governor moves to WOT when the engine is stopped. The governor will react instantly to return the engine to the governed rpm BUT if the throttle spring is in the max rpm position it will remain at max rpm, until the operator reduces throttle. REDUCE throttle, to fast idle, immediately after start.
Larger engines often have a separate choke - with these it is best to have no/minimal throttle at start - on start up, slowly reduce choke, while slightly increasing throttle, to prevent the engine stalling.
With the exception of some generator & pump installations (where throttle is fixed open to operating RPM) diesel engines should be started at or slightly above idle. In most (older type) installations there will be a pre start sequenced, usually involving some sort of fuel heating system (eg glow plugs).
NOTE:
It is not good for any engine to go from cold start to high rpm, before the engine warms up. This will cause accelerated wear in all sorts of locations.
ALWAYS warm your engine before asking it to go to work (fast idle).
ALWAYS cool (fast to slow idle) your engine after work & before shutting down.