CAPE TOWN – Kenyan javelin star Julius Yego will be hoping to recapture his world-class form when he takes part in the Athletix Grand Prix Series Meeting in Paarl on Thursday.
Affectionately known as ‘Mr YouTube’ after starting his javelin career by watching videos on YouTube, Yego startled the athletics world when he threw 92.72 metres to win the world title in 2015 in Beijing, China.
Since then, however, he has not yet been able to go beyond the 85m mark in a season. He is, however, a feared competitor on the circuit.
Standing at 1.75m and weighing in at 90kg, Yego has since then hired the services of a coach who has honed the powerhouse’s technique to the point that Yego is always a contender for the podium.
The 29-year-old battled with injury in 2017, causing him to finish 13th at the IAAF World Championships in London, a far cry from the World Championship gold (92.72m) and Olympic silver (88.24m) in 2015 and 2016, respectively.
His best of 87.97m in 2017 came at the Kenyan trials in June, prior to him picking up the injury that saw him struggle at the London World Championships.
Yego is, however, now once again fit and injury-free and after winning the Javelin competition at the Kenyan Commonwealth Games trials with a throw of 73.53m, he is looking for another opportunity through Thursday’s meeting in Paarl to get his final preparations in for the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, Australia.
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“Retaining the Commonwealth title is important to me as it was my first international title (he won in Glasgow in 2014 with a throw of 82.87m).
“But I have not had any real competition yet other than the trials in February, so taking part in Paarl is good for me as it gives me another chance to hone my technique for the Games.
“Also the meeting is in Africa and therefore very important to me to compete in, so I am looking forward to it.”
Western Province’s Rocco van Rooyen has a knack for unleashing all his big throws in his province, and with a best of 85.39m from 2015, he could prove to be a thorn in Yego’s side if the Capetonian finds form.