NAIROBI, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Olympic javelin silver medalist Julius Yego of Kenya says he will camp in South Africa for training in January as he starts early preparations ahead of the 2019 World Championships.
Yego gave the throws competition a new impetus, especially for young African athletes, when he emerged from obscurity to clinch the world title at the 2015 Beijing World Championships.
However, loss of form and a career threatening groin injury have punctured the allure of invincibility the Africa javelin champion enjoyed.
Speaking to reporters in Nairobi, Yego says he is back in training as he seeks to return to fitness and will go down south for an intensive preparations ahead of the 2019 season.
"I want to have a major impact in the Diamond League, which starts in Doha (Qatar) in May. I will head to South Africa early next year where I have been invited for some competitions and training camp," said Yego, Wednesday in Nairobi.
Ever since his world lead throw of 92.72 meters in Beijing three years ago, Yego has struggled to reclaim his fitness.
He was injured at the Rio Olympics after two throws, which was enough to secure him the silver medal.
But since then it has been a downhill trajectory for the 28-year-old until last August when he returned to the winner's podium to clinch gold at the Africa Championships in Nigeria, his third in as many attempts.
"Injury is every athlete's nightmare and mine came when I was at the top of my game and left me confused. I had groin injury in Rio that affected my performance. I have tried to restore my body, but I have not been successful to go back to my peak. That is why I failed to defend my title in London last year. But I have started afresh and hopefully, with long preparations, I will do well in Doha next year," he added.
Yego is again dreaming of hurling the javelin beyond the 90 meters mark to equal the performance season leaders world champion Johannes Vetter (92.70m), Olympic winner Thomas Rohler (91.78m), Andreas Hofmann (92.06m), Magnus Kirt (89.75m) and Jakub Vadlejch (89.02m).
Last season his best throw was 80.91 meters during the Kenyan trials for the Africa Championships.
"The sport today is very competitive and to excel you must throw over the 90 meters mark to challenge the Germans. That is my target. My focus is to throw over 90 meters and peak at the World Championships in Doha. If I can hot the 90 meters in January, then I will be able to plan accordingly for the season," he said.
