Yego seeks redemption in Berlin Challenge Meeting

Kenya's Julius Yego competes in the final of the men's javelin throw athletics event at the 2017 IAAF World Championships at the London Stadium in London on August 12, 2017. / AFP PHOTO /

Olympic javelin silver medallist Julius Yego has a chance to redeem his career after a dismal show at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in London, England.

Yego, who finished last in London, faces homeboys in Olympic champion Thomas Rohler and the new world champion, Johannes Vetter, who will strive for javelin supremacy at the IAAF World Challenge Meeting – the 76th ISTAF meeting – on Sunday next week.

The alumnus of Kapsabet Boys High School carried his 92.72m mark, which he set at the 2015 Beijing worlds, to the rich field in London.

His poor showing in London dampened the spirits of Kenyan field events fans, who believe Yego had inspired a huge number of budding javelin talents.

But the two German javelin aces have produced a string of exciting contests this season, determined to outdo each other with outstanding performances.

The rivalry has been the springboard for Röhler to break the national record when the outdoor season barely begun, launching his spear to 93.90m in Doha in early May.

But Vetter responded by beating Röhler at the German championships in Erfurt before improving the national record to 94.44 in Lucerne. When it came to the World Championships in London, Vetter clearly had the upper hand with his impressive victory while Röhler only missed the bronze medal by seven centimetres.

The German pair will certainly not have everything their own way as Yego still has a point to prove.

“Thomas and Johannes are two outstanding athletes. The javelin will be a top attraction of ISTAF, as it was last year,” said the meeting director, Martin Seeber.

Seeber had more good news to announce with the participation of the World 200m champion Dafne Schippers, fresh from her triumph in London. The Dutch athlete is confirmed as part of a Dutch sprint relay quartet.

Among their rivals will be a German squad including Gina Lückenkemper.

“After an interval of seven years we have brought back this exciting team competition to ISTAF’s schedule.

“The fans can look forward to a thrilling race.”