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When it comes to javelin, the first name that comes to every Kenyan mind is Julius Yego. Known as the “Mr YouTube”, Yego showed the world there is talent in field events in Kenya when he won silver at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Since then, Yego has remained consistent at the top level and continues to inspire hundreds of upcoming athletes to try their hand at the sport. This year, he will be one of the star attractions at the fifth edition of the Kip Keino Classic in which he will be competing for the third successive year.

Having finished fifth at last year’s edition at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani, the African champion will be out for redemption on home soil even as he casts his eyes wide to the summer Olympics in Paris. Considering javelin is likely to be one of the first events on the programme of activities, victory for Mr YouTube will be the perfect appetizer for the home crowd as far as the taste of victory is concerned.

It won’t be a walk in the park for Yego though as he will be facing a familiar field of foes with who he has battled on numerous occasions. Standing between him and glory is the 2016 Olympics champion Thomas Rohler who will be making his debut at the Kip Keino Classic.

The German’s last competition was in September last year in his homeland, where he finished a disappointing ninth at the ISTAF annual track and field meet in Berlin. Victory in his first visit to Nairobi will be the perfect way for Rohler to wipe away the memories of an underwhelming 2023.

It is a chance that the German will be eager to take with both hands. Equally no stranger to Yego is Egyptian Abdelrahman Ihab with who he has brushed shoulders in numerous competitions. Ihab, just like Yego, boasts a decorated CV that includes the African title in 2010, the African Games in 2015 as well as silver at the World Championships in Beijing in 2015 and at the 2008 World Junior Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland. Having finished third at last year’s edition, the Egyptian will feel the only way forward is to win gold – or at worst silver. Of course, last year’s victor, Timothy Herman, will definitely have something to say about that.

The Belgian will be hoping to make it two straight wins in what will be his fourth time competing on Kenyan soil.