Kenya’s javelin icon, Julius Yego, is gearing up for his seventh World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, aiming to leave a lasting mark in what could be the final chapter of an illustrious career. The competition, set to run from September 13 to 21, marks another significant milestone for the 2015 World champion who has been battling injury woes but is now back to his best form.
Yego, who made his World Championships debut in 2013, has consistently impressed on the global stage despite setbacks. His fourth-place finish in Moscow marked the beginning of a career that saw him claim gold in Beijing in 2015 and silver in Rio in 2016. However, injuries and inconsistent performances in recent years, including a No Mark in 2019 and failing to reach the final in Oregon (2022) and Budapest (2023), have clouded his journey.
This season, however, has been different. Yego has rediscovered his form, starting his season at the Doha Diamond League before competing in Paris, and then clinching a win in Silesia. The victory at the Diamond League meeting in Poland was a significant confidence booster. Yego also had strong performances in Brussels and Zurich, finishing fifth in both events. His return to form has been evident, and he now heads to Tokyo with clear objectives.
“My main focus is to qualify for the final, and then I’ll plan how to get a medal,” said Yego. He added that his Diamond League successes, especially the victory in Silesia, gave him renewed confidence. The athlete’s target for Tokyo is ambitious: not just making the final but competing for a medal, reaffirming his position as one of the world’s top javelin throwers.
This World Championships could be more than just another competition for Yego it represents the culmination of his journey from a self-taught athlete, who learned javelin through YouTube videos, to a decorated Olympic and World medalist. A medal in Tokyo would be the perfect way to cap off a remarkable career that has inspired countless athletes around the world.
As Yego prepares for the competition in Tokyo, the pressure is on to deliver one of his finest performances yet. The road to the final will not be easy, but with his regained form and strong mental focus, Yego is determined to make his seventh World Championships one to remember.
