Yego launches bid for gold, 1,500m trio through to semis

Nicholas Kipkorir Kimeli.

Nicholas Kipkorir Kimeli of Kenya wins the race ahead of Oscar Chelimo of Uganda and Birhanu Balew of Bahrain in the Men's 5000m heats on day eleven of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 3, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.



Photo credit: Joan Pereruan | Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

  • The javelin competitors have been drawn in two qualification groups with Yego’s Group ‘B’ throwing off from 10.35am local time (4.35am Kenyan time).
  • Yego’s group includes big names like Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago, winner of the London 2012 Olympic gold medal.

In Tokyo

Former world javelin champion and Olympic silver medalist Julius Yego launches a bid for Olympic gold on Wednesday, hoping he will get his rhythm for good throws in the qualifying round.

The javelin competitors have been drawn in two qualification groups with Yego’s Group ‘B’ throwing off from 10.35am local time (4.35am Kenyan time).

Yego’s group includes big names like Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago, winner of the London 2012 Olympic gold medal.

Meanwhile, world champion Timothy Cheruiyot, Charles Simotwo and Abel Kipsang yesterday navigated their 1,500m heats expertly and moved unscathed into the semis with Nicholas Kimeli the only Kenyan in the 5,000 metres final.

Yego says the most difficult part in javelin is the qualification.

“One needs to get his rhythm right and go through qualification first. That’s the most difficult part,” he explains.

Yego hopes his biceps will stop acting up and allow him to execute the duties at hand at the National Stadium on Wednesday.

In the 5,000m, the hard-working Daniel Simiu was spiked out of contention after a fellow athlete running so close caused him to trip.