Julius Yego chasing historic fifth Commonwealth Games berth
.jpg)
.jpeg)
Reading Time: 3min | Thu. 18.06.26. | 17:03
His Diamond League outings have been more challenging, with fifth place in Rabat (80.59m) followed by seventh place in Rome (79.89m)
Kenya’s javelin great Julius Yego will be aiming to book a record-extending fifth Commonwealth Games appearance when he competes at the Athletics Kenya National Championships and Commonwealth Games Trials this weekend.
Download our Mozzart Sport app for more news
The 37-year-old, popularly known as the “YouTube Man”, has been a mainstay of Kenya’s javelin programme for over a decade. He made his Commonwealth Games debut in New Delhi, India, in 2010, finishing seventh with a throw of 69.60m.
Yego announced himself on the global stage four years later at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where he clinched gold with a winning throw of 83.87m.
His campaign at the 2018 Games in Gold Coast, Australia, ended in disappointment after he failed to progress beyond the qualification rounds. However, the former world champion bounced back in style at the 2022 Games in Birmingham, claiming bronze with a throw of 85.70m.
On that occasion, Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem won gold with a massive 90.18m effort, while Grenada’s Anderson Peters secured silver after throwing 88.64m.
Yego heads into this year’s trials after a mixed season. He opened his campaign with a fourth-place finish at the Kip Keino Classic, registering 79.87m, before underlining his enduring quality by winning a record sixth African title in Accra, Ghana, with the same mark.
His Diamond League outings have been more challenging, with fifth place in Rabat (80.59m) followed by seventh place in Rome (79.89m).
The veteran thrower faces competition from Alexander Kiprotich, Wilson Lentunyei, Joel Boit, Robert Kiprotich, Nathan Kemboi, Duncan Kinyanjui, Erick Omondi and Abel Cheruiyot in the men's javelin event.
Elsewhere, eight-time national champion Dominic Abunda will be chasing a ninth national hammer throw title while seeking a return to the Commonwealth Games stage.
Abunda last competed at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast in 2018, finishing 16th in the final with a best throw of 61.38m.
The men’s shot put is also expected to provide a thrilling contest as three-time national champion Peter Mwangi takes on defending champion George Malala in a battle for national honours.
.jpg)
In the women’s shot put, African Championships bronze medallist Belinda Oburu leads the field and will be looking to translate her continental success onto the national stage. She is expected to face a stern challenge from reigning national champion Sarah Otieno.
The decathlon will also attract significant attention, with national record holder Edwin Too aiming to continue his impressive form. Too arrives at the championships fresh from winning silver at the African Championships in Accra, where he scored 7,105 points to finish behind Côte d’Ivoire’s Nicolas Huys, who claimed gold with 7,284 points.
With Commonwealth Games places on the line, the field events promise some of the most compelling battles of the championships.
