Julius Yego/ FILEThe 2015 world javelin champion Julius Yego targets 85m at tonight’s Neeraj Chopra Classic at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, India.
The inaugural meet, named after India’s Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra, has drawn a mouthwatering elite field of javelin talent.
Chopra and Yego are joined by 2016 Olympic champion Thomas Rohler of Germany, European U23 champion Cyprian Mrzyglod of Poland, Pan American champion Curtis Thompson of the USA and Brazil’s in-form Luiz Mauricio da Silva.
Poland’s Martin Konecny adds depth to the competition, alongside a strong Indian contingent of Sachin Yadav, Rohit Yadav, Sahil Silwal and Yashvir Singh.
“Everyone is talking about the Neeraj Chopra Classic. It is a big event for field athletes,” he said.
“I am coming back slowly. I think I am at 90 per cent. If I can throw 85m, then that will be a good sign as I continue with my build-up for the Tokyo Championships.”
“I am looking forward to a great competition against such a top field of throwers,” he said.
Yego has had mixed results since opening the season at the Doha Diamond League on May 16 with a throw of 78.52m, placing ninth.
Germany’s Julian Weber unleashed a world-leading 91.06m to claim victory, followed by Chopra (90.23m) and Olympic bronze medallist Anderson Peters of Grenada (85.64m).
Yego was ninth again at the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi on May 31, throwing 74.71m.
Da Silva (86.34m) won the contest ahead of Röhler (80.79m) and Portugal’s Leandro Ramos (80.68m).
Yego’s first win of the campaign was at the Motonet GP in Finland on June 11, where he threw a season’s best 82.95m.
He led 2012 Olympic champion Keshorn Walcott (79.98m) and Fin Taneli Juutinen (78.24m).
On June 17, he threw 83.08m to win the Turku Continental Meet before dropping to sixth at the Paris Diamond League on June 26 in 80.26m.
Chopra (88.16m), Weber (87.88m) and Da Silva (86.62m) claimed the podium.
Yego’s most recent competition was at the Athletics Kenya National Championships on June 27, which he won in 79.27m.
