“Imagination is the beginning of creation.” This expression embodies the vivid way in which children perceive the world. It only takes a small spark of curiosity to fuel an adventure. Growing up in the lush countryside of Tinderet in Nandi region, Julius Yego’s vivid imagination led him to make up many games to entertain himself, especially when he was herding his family’s cattle. Using the objects in his surroundings, he made different kinds of toys, one of which was a javelin. Together with his friends, Yego passed time by fashioning sticks into javelins and competing to see who had the furthest throw.
From Child’s Play to Career
With time, Yego’s javelin throwing became more than just a game. As he attended Kapsabet High School, he began participating in regional championships, winning the national junior title in 2006 and breaking the Kenyan junior record with a throw of 67 metres. Securing these victories made Yego certain that he could pursue a career as a javelin thrower. But to make it pro, he needed a coach to help him hone his skill, and there was nobody in Kenya who had enough mastery of the sport to train him. Banking on the resources available online, Yego turned to YouTube for training. By watching videos of world class javelin throwers, Yego refined his technique then went on to win his first national title at the age of nineteen in 2008 and defended it in both 2009 and 2010.
Upon completing his studies, Yego joined the police force. This is a common career course for many Kenyan athletes because it allows to them keep training. While on the force, Yego began taking part in international competitions, winning his first medal after finishing third during the 2010 African Championships in Athletics. Working without a coach was a huge setback, but discipline and determination propelled him in his sport. In 2011, Yego clinched his first gold medal during the All-Africa Games, becoming Kenya’s first ever javelin champion in the event and setting a national record throw of 78.34 metres. Yego’s outstanding performance garnered the attention of World Athletics, who gave him a six-month scholarship to train alongside elite javelin coaches in Europe.
Hall of Fame Status
Access to trainers and training facilities went a long way in improving Yego’s game. In the 2012 London Olympics, he became the first African javelin thrower to reach an Olympic final, finishing 12th in this historic competition. From this point, Yego has moved from strength to strength, setting record throws in one game and shattering them in the next, and winning gold in multiple international competitions. In 2015, he outdid himself yet again when he became the first African to win the javelin throw at the 2015 Beijing World Championships, making the fifth-longest throw in the championship’s history (92.72m) and setting a continental record that is yet to be broken.
Julius Yego has etched his name in the history of javelin throwing. His indomitable spirit has carried him through turbulent seasons in his career, and we cheer him on as he works towards his dream of becoming an Olympic gold medalist. Hongera Yego!