Julius Yego advances to javelin finals

IN RIO DE JANEIRO

After enduring nervous moments in the qualification round, world champion Julius Yego says he expects a big fight in the final of the men’s javelin throw on Saturday (Sunday 2:55am, Kenyan time).

Yego, who sealed his place in the final with a throw of 83.55 in the third attempt early on Thursday morning, shrugged off the favourite tag.

“I will struggle in the final because the boys are all looking good and in good shape. But Saturday is coming and you know Saturday will be a different day from today. But I want to throw big on the final day,” Yego said.

With the qualification mark set at 83.00m, it took Yego the maximum number of throws to earn his place in the finals.

His first throw was a modest 78.88m an effort which was seventh best at the end of the first round in the group among the 18 contests that he had been drawn against.

Things looked worse in his second throw after Yego not only stepped out of the demarcated area but also appeared to have pulled his left hamstring. There was however some good news later on when Yego revealed that it wasn’t anything serious.

“It’s not anything serious. I think it’s just a tight muscle. I’m going to see the physiotherapist immediately. He is waiting for me so that he can check on it. Saturday is coming fast so we have to make sure everything is okay,” he said after the qualification round.

The World champion admitted that he was nervous after his second throw which did not count leaving him with one final attempt.

“Of course you have to be nervous because it’s a semi-final and you when mess you won’t be in the final. But I am happy in my third throw I did over 83m meeting for an automatic qualification and so I’m waiting for the final,” he said.

However, he said he is not under pressure going into the final as the World champion.

“Not at all. Last year was 2015 and it was the World Championships, this is an Olympic year, so I’m not under any pressure,” he said.