Yego’s sixth continental crown fuels Beijing 2027, LA 2028 ambitions

The 2016 Olympic javelin silver medallist Julius Yego says winning a record-extending sixth African Championships title has reignited his motivation as he targets the 2027 World Championships in Beijing and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

The 2015 world champion once again asserted his dominance on the continental stage after clinching the African javelin crown at the African Senior Championships in Accra, Ghana.

Yego, popularly known as the “YouTube Man,” produced a winning throw of 79.87m to finish ahead of Ethiopia’s Obang Otagiogulia (77.60m) and South Africa’s Smit Douw (76m).

The 37-year-old revealed that the Accra event marked his final appearance at the African Championships, with his focus now firmly shifting to the global stage.

“I think this is my last African Championships, so now my focus is next year’s World Championships and the LA Olympics in 2028,” Yego said.

He admitted the he had initially planned to skip the championships before being convinced otherwise by Athletics Kenya.

“At first I did not want to compete in these championships, but then I was convinced by Athletics Kenya and I decided to compete,” he said.

Yego cited difficult weather conditions in Ghana, noting that strong winds made competition challenging for javelin throwers.

“The conditions were not favourable for javelin because of the wind,” he explained.

Despite the difficult conditions, the Kenyan throwing icon expressed satisfaction at successfully defending his continental title.

“Overall, I am glad I was able to retain my title. This is my sixth title and it’s just amazing,” he added.

Beyond his individual achievement, Yego highlighted the growing rise of field events across Africa, particularly javelin, where he believes his success has inspired a new generation of athletes.

“I know I have motivated many field athletes, not only in Kenya but across Africa. Like now Ethiopia got a silver in the javelin,” he said.

“Africa has plenty of talent. All that is needed is support and proper infrastructure.”

Yego’s journey at the African Championships began in Nairobi in 2010, where he won bronze with a throw of 74.51m behind Egypt’s Ihab Al Sayed, who managed 78.02m, and South Africa’s Gerhardus Pienaar, who threw 75.96m.

Two years later in Porto-Novo, Benin, Yego claimed his maiden continental title with a throw of 76.68m ahead of Ghana’s John Ampomah and Nigeria’s Kenechukwu Ezeofor.

He raised the bar in Marrakech in 2014 with a massive 84.72m throw to finish ahead of Al Sayed and South Africa’s Robert Oosthuizen.

Yego defended the title again in Asaba, Nigeria, in 2018 with a mark of 77.34m, beating South Africa’s Phil-Mar van Rensburg and Nigeria’s Samuel Adams.

He maintained his dominance in Port Louis, Mauritius, in 2022 after throwing 79.62m ahead of Al Sayed and Van Rensburg.

Yego then secured a record-extending fifth title in Douala, Cameroon, in 2024 with an 80.24m effort to defeat Nigeria’s Chinecherem Nnamdi and Egypt’s Mustafa Khaliq.

by TEDDY MULEI