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Africa Under 20 javelin champion Ita Nao is working towards inheriting the throne currently held by former World Javelin champion Julius Yego. 

With the Rio Olympics silver medallist now on his sunset days in the discipline, the Narok-born  20-year-old wants to take over the mantle. 

Nao represented Kenya at the 2017 World Under-18 championships in Nairobi.   He  honed his skills while throwing spears as a Maasai warrior and  is confident his future remains bright despite some suggestions that it has stagnated almost immediately after a brilliant take-off. 

“I am no longer a junior because I have joined the big boys in the sport,” Nao shared. 

“I am certain that everything is possible, if people can manage a throw of 94m then we can also do the same. I am optimistic that I will achieve my dream of attaining 90m and also make the Olympic team in 2024,” he weighed in. 

Different competitions

Amassing experience after representing Kenya at different competitions both youth and junior levels, Nao feels he has mastered the skills. 

“If I had my way, I could have gone to another country for specialized training because that is the sure way it moving to the next level. I know I am doing much on my own but it could have been better to train under the best tacticians, with the best throwers and with modern equipment and facilities,” he divulged. 

Ranked fourth at the 2018 Youth Olympics held in Buenos Aires, Argentina after managing a throw of 74.52m, Nao is targeting an 83m plus throw this year. 

“It is all about believing in yourself and working towards the set goals, I want to fight to qualify for Commonwealth Games during the trials and also Africa Senior Athletics Kenya,” he added.

 Nao who won the silver medal at the Africa Youth Games in Algiers, Algeria before winning gold at the Africa Athletics Championships in Abidjan, Ivory Coast in 2019. 

Besides pushing for his ambitions, Nao has been a great inspiration to the upcoming athletes in South Rift where he mentors upcoming athletes. 

During the April school holiday, some 40 athletes – 18 boys and 12 girls – had been training at the  Emanyatta Camp that was based at Masaantare Primary School in Narok County. 

These athletes were part of 1500 juniors drawn from 26 camps across the country preparing for the trials for the World Athletics Under-20 Championships planned from August 1 to 6 in Cali, Colombia. 

“I want girls to take up athletics and I am working hard to increase the numbers,” revealed Nao. He is one of the founder members.