Yego to lead Kenyan javelin charge in Nigeria

Rio Olympic javelin silver medalist and Beijing World champion Julius Yego led compatriots in securing their slots to Team Kenya for Africa Championships   schelded for August 1-5 in Asaba, Nigeria.

Yego said he hopes to erase the Commonwealth Games dissapointments as he eyes a third Africa Championships title with intent of making it to Team Africa  for the IAAF Continental Cup on September 18-19.

“I’m going for a third title in Africa,  I have like a month to perfect everything. My season has not been very good. Have not been in shape like I was back in 2015 and 2016.

“It’s normal for an athlete’s graph to go up and down hence, I’m not worried because I know by next year’s World Championships I shall be Okay,” Yego, the 2012 and 2014 Africa title-holder said.

Yego had a best throw of 80.91m at the ongoing National Championships at the Moi International Sports Centre,Kasarani, to qualify for the biennial continental show piece and will be joined by Alex Kiprotich of Kenya Defence Forces who made a throw of 76.48m. Sammy Keskeny narrowly missed the 69.00m qualifying mark by hitting 68.89m.

Africa race walking queen Grace Wanjiru, has her eyes set on the continental crown for a seventh time after clocking one hour, 33 minutes and 01 seconds. While Emily Ngii ( 1:34.35) and Silvia Kemboi (1:40.13)  will keep their figures crossed hoping to get green light form the Athletics Kenya (AK) selectors.

In the men’s 10,000m final, Vincent Rono, Josphat Bett and Kipsang Temoi comfortably secured their places in Team Kenya in a tightly contested race on Friday noon.

“I had prepared well for this race because I really  wanted to make it to Team Kenya after missing . I gained confidence after winning the South Rift and my preparations for the 10km road race helped a lot,”

Rono stopped the timer at 28:17.24  to earn the National bragging rights as Jonathan Bett (28:24. 85)  and Kipsang Temoi (28:27.55) settled for the first for second runners up respectively.

On Saturday, the final day of the three day Championship,  more stars led by World and Commonwealth Games champion Elijah Managoi are expected to book their tickets to Nigeria in the 1500m, 3000m steeplechase, 5000m finals among other events.