Yego eyes unprecedented fifth Commonwealth Games appearance at National Championships
By Joel Masibo, June 17, 2026Kenyan javelin veteran Julius Yego will be among the headline attractions at this weekend’s Athletics Kenya National Championships and Commonwealth Games trials starting on Thursday, June 18 to Saturday, June 20, 2026, at the Nyayo National Stadium.
Yego will be seeking qualification for what would be a historic fifth Commonwealth Games participation.
Yego’s journey
The celebrated thrower, popularly nicknamed the “YouTube Man,” first competed at the Commonwealth Games in 2010 in New Delhi, where he finished seventh after recording a throw of 69.60 metres.
Yego’s breakthrough on the Commonwealth stage came four years later in Glasgow when he captured the gold medal with an impressive effort of 83.87m. His fortunes, however, dipped at the 2018 Games in Australia’s Gold Coast, where he was unable to progress beyond the qualifying phase.
The former world champion rediscovered his form at the Birmingham Games in 2022, earning a bronze medal with a throw of 85.70m. Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem won the title with a championship-best 90.18m, while Grenada’s Anderson Peters settled for silver after reaching 88.64m.
Preparations for the 2026 season have produced mixed results for the experienced Kenyan. He started the campaign by placing fourth at the Kip Keino Classic after throwing 79.87m.
The 37-year-old later demonstrated his enduring quality by securing a sixth African Championships crown in Accra, Ghana, on May 17. His winning mark of 79.87m further cemented his status as one of Africa’s finest field athletes.
Yego’s performances on the Diamond League circuit have been more challenging. He finished fifth at the Rabat meeting with a throw of 80.59m before ending seventh in Rome after managing 79.89m.
Facing competition
At the national championships, Yego will face competition from Alexander Kiprotich, Wilson Lentunyei, Joel Boit, Robert Kiprotich, Nathan Kemboi, Duncan Kinyanjui, Erick Omondi and Abel Cheruiyot in the men’s javelin contest.
Elsewhere, seasoned hammer thrower Dominic Abunda will be targeting a ninth national title. The eight-time Kenyan champion is also hoping to secure a return to the Commonwealth Games, having last represented the country at the 2018 Gold Coast edition where he finished 16th with a best throw of 61.38m.
The men’s shot put competition is expected to deliver another exciting battle as three-time national champion Peter Mwangi goes up against defending titleholder George Malala.
In the women’s shot put event, African Championships bronze medallist Belinda Oburu enters as one of the favourites following her strong continental performances. She is expected to face a stern challenge from reigning national champion Sarah Otieno.
Attention will also be on national decathlon record-holder Edwin Too as he competes in the demanding ten-discipline event. Too heads into the championships in good form after claiming silver at the African Championships in Accra.
The Kenyan accumulated 7,105 points to finish second behind Côte d’Ivoire’s Nicolas Huys, who secured the continental title with a tally of 7,284 points.
With Commonwealth Games qualification on the line, Kenya’s leading field event athletes will be aiming to deliver standout performances and book their places on the national team.