×
The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and international interest.
  • Standard Group Plc HQ Office,
  • The Standard Group Center,Mombasa Road.
  • P.O Box 30080-00100,Nairobi, Kenya.
  • Telephone number: 0203222111, 0719012111
  • Email: [email protected]

Julius Yego rose from a village stone thrower to champion in Javelin - Uncle

 

Julius Yego, stunned the world with a 92.72m throw 

\AFP PHOTO / ANTONIN THUILLIER

Julius Yego, who stunned the world when he unleashed a 92.72m in javelin to set the African record and become the first African to win the event at the world championships, has evolved.

John Rotich, who is Yego’s uncle, says he remembers that when the newly crowned world champion was young, he competed with his siblings in stone throwing and he could do longer distances. “There used to be a huge blue gum tree within his Soba River Primary School and the boys would compete in stone throwing. Yego, though the youngest, could throw the highest, to the top of the tree,” says Rotich.

His uncle says that Yego took to javelin while in class six. “He started throwing javelin to represent his school but he was beaten at the zonal competition because he was still young,” says his uncle.

“After he failed in the zonal competition, he asked me to help request the authorities to allow him to participate at the divisional level which they agreed, but he could only participate without representing his school. He emerged the best,” said Rotich.

Related Topics


.

Popular this week

.

Latest Articles