Defending champion Yego unfazed by deposed Egyptian

Defending champion Julius Yego is not worried about the presence of former champion Ihab Abdelrahman from Egypt in men’s javelin throw final Thursday as the Africa Championships ends at Grande Stade, Marrakech.

The new Commonwealth Games champion Caleb Mwangangi is also spoiling for a great fight as he leads World bronze medallist Isaiah Kiplangat and national champion Joseph Kitur in men’s 5,000m final.

And it’s left to be seen whether Purity Kirui and Joan Rotich will uphold Kenya’s dominance in women’s 3,000m steeplechase race after staging a sweep at the Commonwealth Games.

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Four times Africa champion Grace Wanjiru is gunning for her third consecutive title in women’s 20km walk race final Thursday. Veteran David Kimutai seeks to recapture the men’s walk race title he won last in 2002 Mauritius after silver medals in 2010 Nairobi and 2012 Port Novo.

While Yego, who is fondly know as “The YouTube man”, is fresh from winning the Commonwealth Games title, Abdelrahman currently leads the Diamond League series, posting a world lead, Africa record and meet record throw of 89.21 in Shanghai in May.

The Egyptian, who won the 2010 Africa title in Nairobi, also won the Paris leg of the Diamond League 87.10.

Yego posted his best ever performance in the Diamond League, finishing second in Oslo in June. Yego season’s best 84.17m placed him second behind former training mate and the 2007 Osaka World Championships gold medallist, Tero Pitkämäki of Finland.

“I know the two of us are the best in the field but I fear nobody and I am not worried,” said Yego, who is also the 2011 All African Games champion. “This is a championship event.”