Yego is star attraction in field events

Julius Yego. [Jonah Onyango]

Until the emergence of Julius Yego (pictured) in javelin a few years ago, Kenyans never took keen interest in field events.

Traditionally, Kenyan runners dominated the middle- and long-distance events, and that is where athletes and fans’ attention was.

Yego’s triumph in the 2015 World Championships led other athletes to join field events.

As the two-day national trials start off today, focus will not only be on Yego who will be in action on day two, but also on Elijah Kimitei and Mathew Sawe. In today’s men’s triple jump final, Kimitei hopes to solidify his 16.80m jump, which equals the IAAF entry standard. In high jump, Sawe, the African champion, is five centimetres short of qualification standard (2.30m). He faces Micanon Cheruiyot (2.05m) and Amos Kipsaina (2.05m).