As the morning sun cast its glow over Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Grenada’s javelin ace Anderson Peters touched down in Nairobi not just with gear in tow, but with a mission: to awaken a sleeping giant, Africa’s potential in field events.
Fresh off a season best of 85.64m at the Doha Diamond League, Peters steps into the sixth edition of the Absa Kip Keino Classic Continental Tour Gold with a quiet storm brewing in his stride. The early-season rhythm is humming, and the two-time world champion knows the crescendo is still ahead.
“We’re still in May,” Peters told Pura Vida Sports Africa upon his arrival, his calm smile lighting up his face, the distinct gap in his upper teeth lending a touch of boyish charm to his otherwise towering athletic presence.
“There’s a lot of time to tighten up technique and get a bit fitter. No need to rush, I’m just taking it one meet at a time.”
This measured confidence speaks to the seasoned warrior in him, but his admiration for Kenya and Africa runs deeper than numbers. Last year’s energy at Nyayo Stadium was something he still carries in his bones.
“I performed well here. Competing against someone like Julius Yego, someone I grew up watching on TV, has always pushed me,” he says.
“He was the first African, the first non-European, to win a world title in javelin. That inspired me. He lit a path for people like me.”
And then there is Yego himself, the self-taught javelin warrior who once learned the craft by watching YouTube videos.
In Doha, where Peters last competed, Yego made his quiet return. After six months out, the 2015 world champion threw 78.52m, more grit than glitter, but rich with promise.
“I knew the rust would be there,” Yego told Pura Vida Sports Africa.
“But now that’s behind me. I can feel big throwing brewing in my body. It’s just a matter of when.”
He’s circling the Kip Keino Classic as his renaissance. “It’s the moment to throw big. But my rhythm isn’t back yet, javelin is all about rhythm and run-up.”
In Doha, India’s Neeraj Chopra, 90.23m, and Germany’s Julian Weber, 91.06m, raised the stakes, but Peters and Yego stood as bookends of a deeper African story, one about reclaiming space in a discipline long dominated by others.
Peters returns to Nairobi with an intention.
The Kip Keino Classic isn’t just a meet, it’s a movement. A powerful message that field events belong in the African conversation. The roar from last year’s crowd lingers in his memory.
“It was something I had never seen before,” he reflects.
“Every single event had people cheering, appreciating the athletes. That’s rare. That’s powerful.”
The mood in Peter’s camp is relaxed but deliberate.
His coach, Paul Philip, underscores the long game.
“We’re not pushing for big throws just yet. Somewhere around 85 to 87 metres is okay for now. This is about timing our peak, not chasing numbers in May.”
Beyond Peters, a continental tide is turning.
From African shot putters to long jumpers and now throwers like Yego and Kiprotich stepping into the spotlight, the once narrow definition of African athletics is expanding.
“Africans are strong people,” Peters says.
“But the focus has mostly been on running, probably because of the economic rewards. That’s changing now.”
Indeed, a new chapter is being written, and Nairobi is the inkpot.
“There are talents that can be developed. I have no problem with the dominance in running,” Peters adds.
“But I believe in the rise of African strength across all disciplines.”
As he steps into the stadium this weekend, Peters isn’t just throwing a spear, he’s throwing down a challenge.
One that arcs not only toward medals, but toward a future where field events soar in Africa.
𝐌𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐉𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐔𝐩, 𝐊𝐢𝐩 𝐊𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐨 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓:
- Anderson Peters (Grenada), Two-time world champion;
- Julius Yego (Kenya), 2015 World Champion, African trailblazer;
- Thomas Röhler (Germany), Germany, Olympic Champion;
- Ioannis Kyriazis (Greece);
- Timothy Herman (Belgium);
- Luis Mauricio (Brazil);
- Leandro Ramos (Portugal);
- Curtis Thompson (USA);
- Manu Quijeira (Spain);
- Alex Kiprotich Toroitich (Kenya), Homegrown Kenyan hopeful.
The javelin runway is set, the field is rich, and as Africa sharpens its spear in both spirit and strength, Nairobi may just witness a throw, or a movement, that lands far beyond the pit.
Robert Kibet is a freelance journalist based in Nairobi, Kenya. He previously worked as a correspondent for Milele FM. His feature stories on development, the climate crisis, the environment, conflict, human rights, food security, and education have been published in The Guardian UK, Reuters, IPS, DW, The New Humanitarian, and Equal Times.
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