Kenyan javelin star Julius Yego has made a stunning return to form at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, easily qualifying for the final with his best throw of the season, 85.96 m. 

The 36-year-old, nicknamed ‘Mr. YouTube’ because he learned the sport by watching videos, overcame years of injuries to secure his spot among the world’s best. 

Yego, who won the world title in 2015, is now set for a major showdown on Thursday with top throwers like Anderson Peters and Neeraj Chopra, hoping to end his storied career with one last medal for Kenya.

Competing in Group B at the National Stadium, Yego’s veteran precision was on full display. 

His 85.96 m mark placed him third overall in the qualification rounds. 

He finished behind Grenada’s two-time world champion Anderson Peters, who launched a fierce 89.53 m season’s best, and Germany’s Julian Weber at 87.21 m.

The final, scheduled for Thursday, September 18, is poised to be an epic battle of global powerhouses. 

It features the resurgence of Yego, the form of Peters and Weber, and the renewed rivalry between Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem (85.28 m) and India’s Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra (84.58 m). 

Yego’s qualification is a significant achievement, building on his first Diamond League victory in nine years just last month—a clear signal that the self-taught African record holder is back among the elite.

Julius Yego’s journey is one of the most remarkable in world athletics. 

Hailing from Nandi County, Kenya, he earned his moniker “Mr. YouTube” for learning throwing techniques by watching videos online, effectively bypassing the lack of local coaching and facilities.

His breakout moment came in 2015 when he set a still-standing African record and personal best of 92.72 m to win the World Championship gold in Beijing. 

The following year, he delivered Kenya’s first field medal since 1988 by claiming Olympic silver in Rio. 

As a five-time African champion and the continent’s most decorated javelin thrower, Yego’s influence transcends his results, fostering awareness for field events in a nation devoted to long-distance running. 

He has often voiced concern over the insufficient structural support for the sport in East Africa, a challenge he continues to overcome.

Yego’s career faced significant headwinds after Rio, with recurring ankle and shoulder injuries threatening to end his run. 

He credits invaluable mentorship from Kenyan distance running legends like Eliud Kipchoge for helping him rediscover his form and mental toughness. 

His fifth-place finish at the 2024 Paris Olympics signaled his gradual return to the top tier.

Acknowledging that his competitive days are limited, Yego has targeted Tokyo as his swansong on the global stage. 

A final podium finish would not only add a precious medal to Kenya’s tally—which has been bolstered by Faith Kipyegon’s recent gold—but also provide a fitting golden farewell to a career defined by innovation and sheer will. 

Should he medal, it will surely ignite conversations about establishing coaching programs to develop the next generation of Kenyan throwers for future Olympic Games.