In the strong symbol of global friendship and sporting spirit, Julius YEGO, “YouTube Man” and one of the most inspiring Javelin characters, she landed in Bengalur for the opening Neera Chopra Classic 2025. For Yeg, who shares a unique bond with Neer Chopra, it is a chance to support a trailblazer’s colleague and help increase sport across regions where Javelin once tried to find a position.
Yeg’s journey from throwing sticks on his father’s farm to stand on global stages remains one of the most remarkable stories about the track and Field, a former world champion and an Olympic silver medalist. His personal best of the 92.72 m, which came in 2015, is 19. The best in history.
Neera Chopra Classic: Preview
Julius YEGO (completely left) in the classic Neer Chopra. (PTI photos)
In the country, the synonym for long distance running carved space for ancient sport, which little around him understood. Yego’s rise was not mostly taught separately by YouTube instructions in the absence of coaching infrastructure, for Kenya and for the javelin world, he was generally not a revolutionary.
Now 36, Yego is approaching the dusk of his career with a hard -earned clarity. He speaks of longevity with humility, recognizes his past milestones, but refuses to have them defined by his present. Whether the Los Angeles 2028 becomes his fifth Olympic appearance, Yego focuses on returning – through friendship, mentoring and helping the next generation witness to sports. “We are not enemies. We are friends,” he says, summarizing his philosophy and the mood this weekend in Bengalur.
Nc classic: all you need to know
Excerpts from an exclusive interview with Julia YEGO
QUESTION: Hi, Julius. Welcome to India! You’ve been here for 2-3 days. What was your experience so far?
YEGO: This is actually my for the second time in India. The first was back in 2010 during the social games in Delhi. I really like this place – people, atmosphere – it’s great. The environment is nice and is also good for training, so yes, I enjoy it.
Question: What made you say that you are coming to the classics Neer Chopra?
YEGO: We want this sport to be more popular in our countries. If you look at Neera’s story and mine, they are quite similar. We come from places where Javelin did not have much attention. But it’s love for sport that drives us. The dream is to promote a spear not only in Kenya and India, but also in other countries where it has not grown too much.
Neeraj is my good friend and I want to support him. You never know when you need this support in return. It is important that we are here to bring sport to the younger generation so that they can see live spears of first -class spears, not only on television, and inspire.
Q: How did you discover and fall in love with a javelin?
YEGO: I honestly believe I was born. Somewhere in my blood is written, a spear. It is an ancient sport, one of the original Olympic events from ancient Greece and from the beginning I just loved it.
The beginning was, of course, difficult. There was no right devices, and the spear was not a recognized way in sports at home. But I kept pushing. The talent was given by God and I couldn’t ignore him. I started it in Kenya and I hope to see more spear from my country in the coming years.
Q: Is it true that you started throwing sticks on your father’s farm as a child?
YEGO: Yes, that’s true! We started throwing sticks, but it wasn’t about training. They were just the children who played. It was only in high school, that I realized that Javelin was actually a serious sport. That was around 2004 when I watched the Olympics in Athens and saw Andreas Thorkmildsen won.
That moment really inspired me. Although the system of infrastructure and education in Kenya did not support sport much, I started taking it seriously. We tied with our brothers and friends in the village, just for fun. We had no idea that it would grow into something so big. But that’s how it started and I think many athletes start in a similar way.
Question: You are famous for training by watching videos on YouTube. What advice would you give to young children who want to chase a spear?
YEGO: It’s not just about watching. It’s about what you do with what you watch. You must take these videos and apply them. You need a passion.
Even today, video analysis is part of our training routine. But if you just watch tracking, it won’t help. Follow with intent. Learn. Let it form your technique and discipline. Make it a positive effect on your life, not just fun.
Q: Why is there such a friendship between javelin throws?
YEGO: It’s something I found when I joined sports. Athletes like Jan Elezn and Andreas Thorkildsen have always been open to talk to us, even though we were young and just started.
This tradition of openness and helpfulness is part of sport. You will see a lot of mutual support for spectacles and even in other field events such as the Vault field. We are competitors, yes, but we are not enemies. As soon as the competition is over, we are returning to friends. That should be.
Q: Now you are 36 years old, you are still competing at a high level. What is your immediate goal? Do you think of the 2028 Olympics?
YEGO: Right now it is to make it step by step. I don’t want to give up huge dreams again. I have already achieved a lot: the World Champion, the Olympic silver medalist who has appeared at almost every main championship since 2010. This is a big problem.
Of course I would like to create a history by reaching La 2028 – that would be my fifth Olympic Games – but only if my body allows. Last year, many people did not even think I would make the finals, but I was among the first five in the world. The level of competition is more important to appear. In 2021, when Neera won the Olympics, I believe I was also able to win. So we will see what the future has.
QUESTION: Finally, what is your message to your friend Neer Chopra? Where do you want to see how he walks in his career?
YEGO: Wishing him all the best. This event has already been successful and I hope that with a few hours of competition ends on a high note.
Neeraj wants to throw over 90 meters. We urged him yesterday – if our bodies still allow us, we will push him! He is still young and has many years ahead. But besides personal success, it is a growth of sport – Bigger feasts, more fans and global recognition for a spear.
– ends
Published:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published on:
5th July 2025
