Julius Yego goes down memory lane as prepares for sixth World Championships appearance

ATHLETICS Julius Yego goes down memory lane as prepares for sixth World Championships appearance

Abigael Wafula 14:06 - 24.08.2023

Yego will be up for the javelin qualifying round on Friday, August 25.

2015 World Javelin champion Julius Yego will one more time set foot on the field in Budapest, Hungary, his sixth appearance at the World Championships with the hope of repeating his 2015 heroics.

Yego will be up for the javelin qualifying round on Friday, August 25 at exactly 11:10 a.m. and he has been grouped alongside the crème de la crème of javelin. He surely has his work cut out and he will definitely need to dig deep to make it to the final.

He will be up against Grenada’s Anderson Peters, the defending champion, and India’s Neeraj Chopra, the World silver medallist, both being in the form of their lives and ready to rumble on the big stage.

Gearing up for the do-or-die challenge, Yego also took to his Facebook page to recount how he started his journey and how difficult it was at first. He added that he wants to be an inspiration to upcoming athletes and make sure that he leaves a legacy behind.

“It was always a dream in my mind in the beginning and it was always hard to start but with all determination, hard work, focus, and vision I made that move that was entirely impossible in the eyes of many.

"It's now a normality and equated to all events in terms of achievements and goals no matter the championship, I like it and hope it continues forever into the next budding athletes back home,” he said.

He added that he loves the challenge the event brings to be table and he loves it whenever he is competing before the whole world.

“It’s another milestone tomorrow (Friday) 6th appearance at the qualifying rounds for javelin at the World Athletics championships, one miss into the finals and 4 finals one-time champ, and 4th rank on my debut!” he said

Yego has been battling a series of injury setbacks and getting back on track has been a challenge for him but he still keeps the faith and puts in the work.

During last year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, he gave Team Kenya a sign that he has returned after bagging a bronze medal. As he takes on the strong field in the Hungarian capital, the hopes of all Kenyans rest on him to make an impact.

“I cherish those memories and moments and again another time to go and give my best in the field and enjoy the moment. Hello, tomorrow! Let’s go,” he added.