Julius Yego is Africa’s best javelin thrower. He had been preparing for this present summer’s Olympic Games, until the coronavirus flare-up. Yego was born in Cheptonon, a town in the Rift Valley, Kenya. He was born in January 1989, he grew up liking football and running, however, when he was defeated by two opponents in a 10,000m school race, he turned his attention somewhere else. The Olympics javelin silver medalist and 2015 champion in the world, is looking towards two more gold medals before resigning as a world-class athlete. Yego needs to win gold at the rescheduled in Tokyo, Japan in the coming year. Also, at least one in the two World Championships set to be held in 2022 and 2023.
Julius Yego taught himself
Nicknamed “Mr. YouTube” since he figured out how to toss by viewing YouTube videos of javelin competitors. Yego is the African record and Commonwealth record holder for the event with a personal best of 92.72 m.
The self-taught javelin star was preparing for the late spring Olympics before the Covid-19 pandemic hit. This is constraining him to interrupt his arrangements. Yego says he could feel his structure returning around March and was anticipating competition.
Nonetheless, he has been compelled to remain at home now and trust that the pandemic will be controlled.
Training is disrupted due to the novel virus
“Staying home without training is quite challenging but we have to get used to it. The situation is beyond human control and there is nothing we can do. I am following all the guidelines that have been put in place to keep us safe. I am getting used to staying at home, just keeping fit as I cannot go through the normal training that involves javelin throws,” Yego told K24 sports presenter Caren Kibbett in an interview.
The African and Commonwealth record holder won silver at the Rio Olympics where he oversaw only one toss before suffering a right ankle wound.
Julius Yego endured an injury
Thomas Röhler of Germany won gold with a toss of 90.30m which came after Yego had endured his physical issue. The Kenyan couldn’t challenge the German for gold. The previous year, Yego had shocked the world when he tossed 92.72m to win gold at the World Championships.
Yego was in the best form in 2014 and 2016 where he won a Commonwealth gold. He turned into a worldwide champ and won a silver medal at the Olympics. His form took a fall as he completed thirteenth both at the 2017 World Championships and Commonwealth Games in 2018. He completed eighth in last year’s World Championship.
With the previous title holder’s own best at 92.72m, accomplished at the 2015 World Championships, Yego won’t dwell on breaking Jan Železný record which remains at 98.48m. He will rather work on beating his very own personal Best (PB).
Concentration on the Olympics
The policeman has approached the game’s executives to take a shot at giving all competitors world-class training centers. This is because many are eager to put in the effort yet the conditions they work in don’t permit them to contend well with their friends from developed nations. He hopes to take part in the competitions set for the next year 2021.
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