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Javelin thrower Julius Yego is the latest big-name star to confirm his participation in March's three Athletix Grand Prix events in South Africa. The Kenyan's 2017 season was plagued by injuries, but he says he is eager to make up for lost time: "I am now healthy and injury free‚ so I am excited for what 2018 may hold." Yego is a former World Champion, the Commonwealth Games' reigning champion, as well as an Olympic Silver medalist and, remarkably, taught himself to throw the javelin by watching YouTube videos. The lure of competing outside of the usual destinations in Europe, Asia and the United States has made him look forward to visiting South Africa. "We are used to competing at big meetings in Europe‚ the States and Asia, so when my agent informed me of the meeting in Paarl‚ I immediately jumped at the chance. "To be able to compete in South Africa‚ on the African continent‚ is important to me as it helps in growing our sport. We are limited with resources‚ but more and more kids are now attempting their hand at the javelin." Yego will compete in the Paarl leg of the series at the Dal Josaphat Stadium on March 22. Other big names who will be competing over the course of the three events are World 100m Champion Justin Gatlin, who will compete in Tshwane on 8 March, and Uganda's 10 000m star Joshua Cheptegei, who will compete in Johannesburg on 1 March as well as in the Tshwane event.
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