Improving Yego eyes big throw at Paavo Nurmi Games

Former world javelin champion and Olympic silver medalist Julius Yego is aiming for a big throw tonight as he lines up at the Paavo Nurmi Games, a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting set for Tuesday night in Turku, Finland.

The 2015 world titleholder heads into the meet with renewed confidence after posting a season-best throw of 82.95m to win last week's Motonet Grand Prix in Lahti his most commanding performance of the year.

“My target tonight is the 85-metre mark. It will be great if it also comes with a win. The field is very competitive, but my main focus is to improve my season best,” Yego told Citizen Digital.

Yego’s 2025 season has steadily gained momentum. He opened his campaign with a ninth-place finish at the Doha Diamond League in May (78.52m), followed by a fifth-place showing at the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi with 78.74m.

Now with the World Championships in Tokyo looming in September, Yego is determined to return to the global podium.

“My plan is to keep pushing. I believe by September I’ll be ready for the World Championships not just as a participant, but as a strong medal contender,” Yego added.

Yego, one of Kenya’s most decorated field athletes, has faced challenges at recent global championships. He bowed out in the qualifying rounds at both the 2023 World Championships in Budapest (78.42m) and Eugene 2022 (79.60m), but remains undeterred as he builds towards a strong comeback this season.

Tonight in Turku, he will go up against a quality field that includes Olympic medallist Keshorn Walcott, Poland’s Marcin Krukowski and Cyprian Mrzygłód, Latvia’s Gatis Čakšs, as well as home favourites Eemil Porvari and Toni Keränen all of whom have surpassed the 80-metre mark this season.

Next up after Turku is the Paris Diamond League on June 20, where Yego is expected to continue sharpening his form before the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru, India, on July 5, where he is expected to join a high-profile line-up featuring Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra, Anderson Peters, Thomas Röhler, and Curtis Thompson.