Two-time World Javelin champion Peters jets in for Absa Kip Keino Classic
Granada ace seeks to build momentum ahead of Tokyo Worlds
𝐍𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐎𝐁𝐈, 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚, 𝐌𝐚𝐲𝟐𝟔, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓- Double world men’s Javelin champion, Anderson Peters, touched down in Nairobi on Monday (May 26) morning for this year’s Absa Kip Keino Classic- the sixth stop of the 2025 World Athletics Continental Tour Gold Series in Nairobi.
The Paris 2024 Olympics bronze medallist jetted to the Kenyan capital as the sun spilled into the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport’s tarmac ready to spear his way to glory on Saturday (May 31) at the Ulinzi Sports Complex.
“We're still in May. 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,” the smiling Grenadian told this website soon after arrival.
Peters, 27, is in Kenya as he seeks to build up momentum in his bid to grab a third global title at the Tokyo 2025 Worlds following his success at the Doha 2019 and Eugene 2022 editions.
He is coming off a solid performance at the Doha leg of the 2025 Wanda Diamond League where he threw a season’s best of 85.64m and is looking forward towards tapping into the energy of the Kenyan crowd to push him towards a huge performance.
“I performed well here. Competing against someone like Julius Yego, someone I grew up watching compete on TV, has always pushed me. 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,” Peters added.
Winning silver
The five-time Carifta Games Javelin winner returns to Kip Keino Classic for the first time since winning silver at the 2023 edition in 85.72m behind Belgium’s Timothy Herman.
“It was something I had never seen before. Every single event had people cheering, appreciating the athletes. That’s rare. That’s powerful,” he reflected on his maiden visit to Kenya’s premier circuit track and field showpiece.
Accompanying him to Nairobi was his coach Paul Philip who underscored to this website that their aim is work towards measured progression in the run up to Tokyo’s Worlds in September.
“We’re not pushing for big throws just yet. Somewhere around 85 to 87 metres is okay for now,” Philip emphasised.
He added: “We’re using this as a launch pad and after Kenya, we will return home for recovery and preparation before heading to Europe for events like the Golden Spikes meet and a few other key competitions.”
The coach believes Africa has potential to produce world class athletes beyond middle and distance running, pointing out to the recent progress made in other track and field events in recent years.
“Africans are strong people. But the focus has mostly been on running , probably due to the economic incentives tied to it.
“There are talents that can be developed. I have no problem with the dominance in running, but I believe in the rise of African strength across all disciplines,” Peters remarked.
Turning to Javelin, the coach noted the rise of stars such as Yego and the Beijing 2015 Worlds silver medallist Ihab Abdelrahman El Sayed of Egypt was proof the continent can become a powerhouse in the discipline.
“It’s called track and field for a reason. To truly dominate the sport, you need both. Africa has the strength. The youth just need to see the possibilities,” he said.
The Men’s Javelin final will be one of the discretionary events at this year’s Absa Kip Keino Classic alongside the men’s and women’s 3,000m steeplechase, men’s 400m, men’s and women’s 1500m and men’s and women’s 1500m on the track and men’s High jump infield.
Core events where points in the Continental Tour Gold series will be scored are men’s and women’s 100m, men’s 200m, men’s and women’s 800m and women’s 400m Hurdles on the track and Hammer throw in the field.
Core and discretionary events at the meet features local and international athletes.
-By Robert Kibet | Freelance Journalist
-Photo Credits: Peter Njoroge
