King Yego: I'm out to reclaim my world title

Kenya on Wednesday launched it’s road to 2025 Tokyo World Athletics Championships, with many athletes eager to attain the competition entry standards.

Some, like former world javelin champion Julius Yego, are focused to reclaim their titles in the global showdown set for  September 13-21, 2025 in Tokyo, Japan.

African men’s 100m record holder Ferdinand Omanyala and 400m national record holder Zablon Ekwam are aiming to reach the finals in their respective categories in the Japan showpiece.

“I’m happy to be among the athletes who will don national colours in Tokyo. Qualifying for Japan much early has given me ample time to now prepare well to win back the javelin title.” Yego told Standard Sports.

“I began training 10 days ago in Eldoret and I can tell you my eyes are on the prize.”

Yego, who hurled 87.72m to beat the 85.50m javelin world championship qualifying mark at the Paris Olympics, has advised his fellow athletes to cultivate discipline in their preparations for Tokyo. He also urged them to run and win clean.

“Train well, learn to sleep  early, take adequate rest, do not let your body to be burnt out,” said Yego during the launch where Athletics Kenya (AK) also released their calendar of events for the 2024/2025 season.”

Yego challenged the coaches to instill mental toughness needed for athletes to excel globally saying: “Sometimes we have the best athletes for events like the World Championships, but mental toughness is what they lack to strike medals.”

Omanyala, who has also qualified for the Worlds, hailed AK for launching the Road To Tokyo much early, but he admitted he is still yet to align his plans for next year.

“Currently, I’m off season, just working on some of my businesses. I’m yet to think about 2025. I’m also yet to resume training, but the dream is to make it to the finals in Tokyo,” Omanyala said. Ekwam believes the calendar of events released in time gives athletes like him the chance to plan ahead.

“I got injured in Paris and was advised not to train for two months. I’m now okay, so expect me in training on Friday.”

“The target is to reach the finals in Tokyo, at the same time, break my 400m national record,” Ekwam added.

Former world marathon champion Ruth Chepngetich, who will take part in the Chicago Marathon next week, says she is already motivated to attain the world championships qualifying mark.

“Everything is on set, and the onus is now on us athletes to prepare well and put our best foot forward in the 2025 games,” said Chepngetich.

The World Championships will involve 49 events that will be contested in Tokyo.

Qualifying period for the marathon and race walk is between November 5, 2024 and May 4, 2025.

Relays, combined events, 20km races and 10000m qualifying window is from February 25,2024 to August 2025.