Julius Yego Interview: From Kenya to Bengaluru, for javelin and friendship

India Today

a day ago

In a powerful symbol of global camaraderie and sporting spirit, Julius Yego, the 'YouTube Man' and one of javelin's most inspiring figures, has landed in Bengaluru for the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025. As India hosts its first-ever international javelin tournament at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, the Kenyan legend's presence is more than ceremonial. For Yego, who shares a unique bond with Neeraj Chopra, this is a chance to support a fellow trailblazer and help elevate the sport across regions where javelin once struggled to find footing.advertisementA former world champion and Olympic silver medallist, Yego's journey from throwing sticks on his father's farm to standing on global podiums remains one of track and field's most remarkable stories. His personal best of 92.72m, which came in 2015, is the 19th best ever in history.Neeraj Chopra Classic: Preview
Julius Yego (far left) at the Neeraj Chopra Classic. (PTI Photo)
In a country synonymous with long-distance running, he carved out space for an ancient sport that few around him understood. Largely self-taught through YouTube tutorials in the absence of coaching infrastructure, Yego's rise was nothing short of revolutionary - for Kenya and for the javelin world at large.Now 36, Yego approaches the twilight of his career with hard-earned clarity. He speaks of longevity with humility, acknowledging his past milestones but refusing to let them define his present. Whether or not Los Angeles 2028 becomes his fifth Olympic appearance, Yego's focus remains on giving back—through friendship, mentorship, and helping the next generation witness the sport up close. 'We're not enemies. We're friends,' he says, summing up both his philosophy and the mood this weekend in Bengaluru.NC Classic: All You Need to KnowExcerpts from exclusive interview with Julius YegoQ: Hello, Julius. Welcome to India! You've been here for 2–3 days now. How has your experience been so far?Yego: This is actually my second time in India. The first was back in 2010 during the Commonwealth Games in Delhi. I really like this place—the people, the atmosphere—it's great. The environment is nice and it's also good for training, so yes, I'm enjoying it.Q: What made you say yes to coming for the Neeraj Chopra Classic?Yego: We want to make this sport more popular in our countries. If you look at Neeraj's story and mine, they're quite similar. We come from places where javelin hasn't had much attention. But it's the love for the sport that drives us. The dream is to promote javelin not just in Kenya and India, but also in other countries where it hasn't grown much.advertisementNeeraj is a good friend of mine, and I want to support him. You never know when you might need that support in return. It's important for us to be here, to bring the sport closer to the younger generation, so they can see world-class javelin throwers live, not just on TV, and get inspired.Q: How did you discover and fall in love with javelin?Yego: I honestly believe I was born for this. Somewhere in my blood, it's written, javelin. It's an ancient sport, one of the original Olympic events from ancient Greece, and I just loved it from the start.Of course, the beginning was difficult. There were no proper facilities, and javelin wasn't even a recognized path in sports back home. But I kept pushing. The talent was God-given, and I couldn't ignore it. I started it in Kenya, and I hope in the coming years we'll see more javelin athletes from my country.Q: Is it true that you started throwing sticks on your father's farm as a kid?advertisementYego: Yes, that's true! We started by throwing sticks, but it wasn't about training. It was just kids playing around. It was only in high school that I realised javelin is actually a serious sport. That was around 2004 when I watched the Olympics in Athens and saw Andreas Thorkildsen win.That moment really inspired me. Even though the infrastructure and education system in Kenya didn't support sport much, I began to take it seriously. We used to throw with my brothers and friends in the village, just for fun. We had no idea it would grow into something so big. But that's how it started and I think a lot of athletes begin in a similar way.Q: You're famous for having trained by watching YouTube videos. What advice would you give to young kids who want to pursue javelin?Yego: It's not just about watching. It's about what you do with what you watch. You have to take those videos and apply them. You need passion.Even today, video analysis is part of our training routine. But if you're just watching for the sake of watching, it won't help. Watch with intent. Learn. Let it shape your technique and discipline. Make it a positive influence on your life, not just entertainment.advertisementQ: Why is there such camaraderie among javelin throwers?Yego: It's something I found when I joined the sport. Athletes like Jan elezn and Andreas Thorkildsen were always open to talking to us, even when we were young and just starting out.That tradition of openness and friendliness is part of the sport. Javelin throwers, and even in other field events like pole vault, you'll see a lot of mutual support. We're competitors, yes, but we're not enemies. Once the competition ends, we go back to being friends. That's how it should be.Q: You're 36 now, still competing at a high level. What's your immediate goal? Are you thinking about 2028 Olympics?Yego: Right now, it's about taking it step by step. I don't want to give myself huge dreams again. I've already achieved a lot: world champion, Olympic silver medalist, appearing in nearly every major championship since 2010. That's a big deal.Of course, I'd love to make history by reaching LA 2028—that would be my fifth Olympics—but only if my body allows it. Last year, many people didn't even think I'd make the finals, but I was among the top five in the world. The level of competition matters more than just showing up. In 2021, when Neeraj won the Olympics, I believe I was capable of winning, too. So we'll see what the future holds.advertisementQ: Finally, what's your message to your friend Neeraj Chopra? Where do you want to see him go in his career?Yego: I wish him all the best. This event has already been a success, and with just a few hours to the competition, I hope it ends on a high note.Neeraj wants to throw over 90 metres. We challenged him yesterday—if our bodies still allow us, we'll push him! He's still young, and he has many years ahead. But beyond personal success, it's about making the sport grow—bigger throws, more fans, and more global recognition for javelin.- EndsMust Watch