The 2015 world javelin champion Julius Yego says he is on track to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics after covering 81.74 metres during the just concluded Africa Games in Accra, Ghana.
Yego finished second behind Nigeria’s Nnamdi, who won the title with 82.80m.
Egyptian Abdel Khaliq Moustafa settled for the bronze medal with 78.10m. The other Kenyan, Alexander Kiprotich, threw 75.45 metres for sixth.
Yego, the 2016 Olympic silver medalist, is responding well to competition. “I am happy things are looking up and I expect to have achieved my targets by May,” he assured.
His next stop is the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi on April 20, where he will push the distance.
“Kip Keino Classic will be my next assignment and I hope to improve my performance here,” he noted.
“However, my manager will recommend it on the next assignment. I may take part in the Doha Diamond League (May 10),” he added.
There are two routes to the Olympics. “First, there is the usual qualification — 85.5m — and through the rankings,” he explained.
He doesn’t want to rely on ranking since it can be counterproductive.
“I just want to chase qualification through the Diamond League and I believe I will succeed,” said Yego.
The ranking system accommodates about 36 athletes but one can never be sure.
Yego admitted the African Games in Accra were competitive and had to push himself beyond limits.
He believes he would have covered better distance but had problems with his right hand.
Doctors are attending to him and hope he will be in the shape he wants before the Kip Keino Classic.
His priority is to build on his performance from Ghana and ensure he is in his best shape before the national trials.
“Throwing 81.74m here in Accra means I can improve,” he added. “At some point, I threw 84m but it was cancelled after I slightly stepped on the line. This means 85m and beyond is possible, and it is coming,” he narrated.
He said the hot conditions in Ghana were perfect for javelin.
