Nairobi, Jan 6 (IANS): World javelin champion Julius Yego of Kenya will pitch camp in South Africa for training in February as he steps up his preparations for the Rio Olympics.

It will not be the first time that Yego will be training outside the country as he has been in Finland and Johannesburg before in his cruise to the top of javelin hierarchy. 

On Tuesday, Yego said he has been invited for a two-week training camp in South Africa ahead of Rio Olympics, reports Xinhua.

"I will train there and then head to Europe for some competition. But I have to talk with my coach to know which events to take part in the Diamond League," he said.

The 27-year-old 'Youtube Man' is expected to attend the camp at the end of this month as he seeks to refine his technique and strength ahead of the Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro scheduled for August 5-21.

Yego recorded 92.72 metres in the Bird's Nest Stadium during the World Championships in Beijing last August, which came within six metres of Czech Jan Zelezny's world record set in 1996.

The Kenyan, who learned to throw the javelin by studying YouTube videos before his technique was refined by Finnish coach Petteri Piironen, says winning the gold in Rio is his main target.

"It will feel great to feel the texture of the medal in Rio. If it is gold then it will be even better. There are some other athletes eyeing the same and it will be tough and that is why I have started training early. I will be selective on where to compete in a bid to reserve my energy for the Olympics," he added.

Piironen has been able to improve the Yego's personal best from 78.34 in 2011 to 92.72 in the Beijing worlds and as he sets his focus on soaring the javelin further in 2016, Yego has valid dreams to cherish.

His performance has helped Kenya make huge strides in athletics to supplement on their traditional dominance in middle and long distance races and Rio Olympics will be another platform to confirm their new status.