Kenyan javelin legend Julius Yego remains optimistic despite the groin injury that prematurely ended his World Championships campaign in Tokyo. The 2015 world champion confirmed that scans revealed a complete adductor longus tear, but doctors have ruled out surgery.
“Complete adductor longus tear after the scans and MRI today was the finding. The doctors have advised total rest,” Yego explained. “I can now take time to rest, rehab, and receive consistent therapy. I had mixed feelings, fearing I might need surgery, but I thank God that won’t happen.”
How did the injury affect his Tokyo performance?
Yego opened the competition with an impressive 85.54m throw before limping off. He admitted he had been battling discomfort long before Tokyo, especially during the Miramas pre-camp, where he lacked access to a physio.
“While at Miramas pre-camp, I didn’t have a physio. The area felt heavy, and that’s why I travelled back to Kenya. When I met my physio, he told me I was lucky not to rupture,” he told Citizen Digital.
The Rio 2016 Olympic silver medallist said his decision to push hard early was driven by uncertainty about his condition.
“I was taking big throws in round one because I had the fear of the unknown,” Yego said. “I really thank Kenyans for their support and belief in me as Team Kenya captain. I felt support everywhere, even beyond athletics.”
What does Yego’s road to recovery look like?
Yego is no stranger to adversity. He overcame a groin injury to win gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, secured silver at Rio while competing with a damaged ankle, and battled a biceps injury at the delayed 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
“I have a strong mindset. It gives me hope that I can bounce back from anything,” said Yego, who also serves as a police inspector with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
His 2025 season had already been promising, ending a nine-year Diamond League drought with an 83.60m win in Silesia after strong showings in Finland, Turku, and the Neeraj Chopra Classic in India. He confirmed that a rehabilitation plan is already underway and should take about a month.
“We’ve planned good rehabilitation, and it will take about a month. I will not relent—the worst scenario is losing the fitness I had heading to Tokyo,” he stated.
At 36, Yego’s resilience continues to define his career. “I was really going for something big in Tokyo,” he said. “Even Jan Železný, the world record holder and Chopra’s coach, told me I was going to win it. He told me to believe.”
By Yockshard Enyendi
