The 2015 world javelin champion Julius Yego has reiterated his ambitions to storm the podium positions at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary next month.
Despite throwing 78.43m at the national trials on July 8, Yego punched his ticket to the Hungarian capital by virtue of having thrown 85.70m when he settled for bronze at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
He asserted that he is now in great shape after healing from a groin injury which he had seen him struggle for almost six years.
"I am happy and I thank God I am free from injuries just in time for World Championships in Budapest. I have had good training and I now feel completely fresh and ready to battle for medals," said the 2014 Commonwealth Games champion.
"My minimum target is the bronze medal but I am praying for the best results. I have close to three weeks of training to horn my techniques and my expectation is that I will be more ready than ever," he added.
Yego, popularly known as 'YouTube Man' confirmed that he is unfazed by his competitors' performances during the recent Diamond League meetings.
"I have seen what my competitors have achieved in recent races but that does not worry me. I am more concerned with sharpening my skills so that I will do my level best next month," Yego stated.
Yego, 36, will be up against a quality field including Grenada's and world defending champion Anderson Peters, Jakub Vadlejch of the Czech Republic, Germany's Julian Weber, and Neeraj Chopra of India— all of whom have exceeded the 88-meter mark this year.
Yego's coach Joseph Mosonik had predicted that the former Olympic silver medallist would have a stellar performance at the global showpiece after a good show at the National Championships on June 24. Yego, representing Kenya Police, threw 81.84m to win his 10th national title.
"He is slowly regaining his form without injuries. His movement on the runway has gradually improved and even his throwing techniques. With his current shape, he will be a serious contender in Budapest," offered Mosonik.
Yego made headlines after winning the 2015 world title in Beijing, China with a throw of 92.72m, which was an area record. He is a five-time African champion with his latest victory coming last year in Port Louis, Mauritius when he posted 79.62m.
