Julius Yego's journey to world javelin champion

Julius Yego's journey to world javelin champion

AW
Published: 19th May, 2016
Updated: 3rd February, 2025
BY Athletics Weekly

The Kenyan world and Commonwealth gold medallist on his first experiences of javelin throwing, teaching himself using YouTube videos and what his success means to him and his family

The story of Julius Yego being a self-taught javelin thrower who learnt his trade by watching videos on YouTube is well known, but in a new video from GoPro, the world champion takes viewers on a journey from his humble beginnings in Kenya through to his Rio 2016 Olympic aims.

"Way back when I was still young, I would always think javelin is in my blood."

Julius Yego_GoPro Shot 2

After starting out by throwing sticks to practice, Yego has gone on to become the African and Commonwealth record-holder, with a personal best of 92.72m, as well as the world and Commonwealth champion.

Here he tells his story:

» Video via GoPro on YouTube

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