As the world celebrated Julius Yego's monster javelin throw in Beijing on Wednesday, the North Rift too erupted in thunderous clapping from delirious crowds.

While on his knees, Yego had set the tempo with his loud scream from the field events arena after releasing the javelin which sailed in the air to strike a gold medal for him.

Back home, Yego's neighbours in Cheptonon village broke into song and dance after his victory.

John Rotich, a cousin of Yego, said they expected a good show from him.

"We are happy that Yego is now the world champion. He has struggled for a long time. We share joy in his victory," said Rotich.

Nandi Governor Cleophas Lagat welcomed the victory and said it confirms their slogan that Nandi County is the "source of champions".

The 'YouTube' athlete as he is known, who hails from Cheptonon village in Nandi County, started off with throwing spear-shaped sticks as a pastime while herding livestock in Nandi Hills.

No one ever imagined that he would one day open a new phase for Kenya to win medals in field events.

Yego, a police officer attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, is the national team captain and has enthralled the world with his great feat.

By last evening, Kenya had topped the medal standings with 11 medals – six gold, three silver and two bronze.

Vivian Cheruiyot (10,000m) set off the winning streak, followed by Ezekiel Kemboi who led the spectacular 1-2-3-4 sweep in 3,000m steeplechase

Yego's victory became clear when he set the African record and world leading mark of 91.39m in Birmingham in June, this year.

He posted 83.10m during the national trials last month in Kasarani Stadium, which seemed to send signals of yet another first – a gold medal in world championships field. And indeed he did not disappoint.

Yego, an alumnus of Kapsabet Boys High School, is known to make history in every championship he competes – from winning All Africa Games (2011), finalist at the London Olympics, fourth-place at the Moscow World Championships, winning the Commonwealth Games to setting the 91.39m African record.

"I always think of doing something special wherever I compete, especially in championships. I am in good shape and expect to do it again," he said in earlier interview.

No Kenyan had ever won a field title – or even a medal – at the IAAF World Championships. But Yego, now sits pretty on top of the world, having ended this medal drought.

Javelin pioneer

The 26-year-old is a pioneer of the spear in a region that has produced many track superstars.

Yego has now beaten the world's greatest that included Olympic champion Keshorn Walcott, world champion Vitezslav Veseley and European champion Antti Ruuskanen.

He puts his good form down to training alongside rivals Ruuskanan and 2007 world champion Tero Pitkamaki under the guidance of Finland's expert javelin coach Petteri Piironen since the start of the year.

Yego became interested in the javelin throw as a youth, and watched videos of athletes such as Jan Zelezny and Andreas Thorkildesen on YouTube.

Not bad for a boy who played football in high school before trying his hand in javelin, where he posted the 71.51m national junior record.

He has unbridled love for the IAAF-accredited centre in Kuortane, Finland, where his manager Jukka Harkonen comes from.

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