In Tokyo
Former world javelin champion, Julius Yego of Kenya, has bemoaned a groin injury that ruined his chances of reclaiming the title on September 18, at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025 - Men's Javelin Throw Final - Japan National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan - September 18, 2025 Kenya's Julius Yego reacts during the Men's Javelin Throw Final.
Photo credit: Reuters
At the same time, defending champion Faith Kipyegon finished second, and Olympics champion Beatrice Chebet first in their semi-final heats to qualify for tomorrow’s women’s 5,000 metres final alongside their fellow countrywoman Agnes Jebet Ng’etich.
Olympics 800m champion Mary Moraa also qualified for tomorrow’s semi-final of the two-lap race along with her compatriots Mary Moraa, and Lilian Odira.
In men’s 800m semi-finals, Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi finished second in his heat to qualify for tomorrow’s final, where he will come up against Canada’s Marco Arop, Algeria’s Djamel Sedjati, Ireland’s Ian McPhillips, Great Britain’s Max Burgin, and Spain’s Mohammed Attaoui.
Today, September 19, could be a golden day for Kenya with two strong gold medal prospects.
World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025 - Men's Javelin Throw Final - Japan National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan - September 18, 2025 Kenya's Julius Yego in action.
Photo credit: Reuters
In men’s javelin final, Yego quit the competition in the second round after picking up a groin injury on his right leg.
At the time, Yego was lying sixth overall, having thrown a distance of 85.54m. Keshorn Walcott from Trinidad and Tobago threw 88.16m to win the world title ahead of Anderson Peters (87.38m) from Granada, and third-placed Curtis Thompson (86.67) from USA.
“I was feeling really nice in the warm-up, unfortunately in my second round, the injury came back in the same fashion. I managed to throw 85 metres, and I wanted to throw it a third time but when I went to the runway, I thought it is better for me to stay healthy instead of forcing it and making the injury worse,” Yego, 36, said.
“I am disappointed not to get a medal from here, but it is part of the sport. I will pick up the pieces, go and heal back at home, and see what the new season has for me.”
Yego suffered a groin injury at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, where he nonetheless claimed the silver medal.
World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025 - Men's Javelin Throw Final - Japan National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan - September 18, 2025 Kenya's Julius Yego in action.
Photo credit: Reuters
He ruled out retirement from the sport, saying he still has unfinished business in javelin.
“I am not thinking too much about what next. Of course the end is closer than ever, but as of now, I am thinking of how to recover quickly and get back to competition. I will see the team doctor tomorrow to ascertain the extent of injury, then we see what next. The pain is nowhere near what I felt in Rio de Janeiro. It is a minor injury, so I will recover and see what next,” he said.
