Faith Cherotich Shines as She Claims 3,000m Steeplechase Gold in Tokyo
The victory adds to Kenya’s long tradition of dominance in the steeplechase, cementing the country’s status as a middle and long-distance running power.
The Kenyan capitalized, staying focused as she jumped the fences with ease. She then charged into the final water jump and powered across in 8 minutes 51.59 seconds . Photo/ Courtesy
By Juliet Jerotich
Kenya’s Faith Cherotich produced a stunning performance to take the women’s 3,000m steeplechase gold medal at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on Wednesday. The 21-year-old produced a sensational last-lap move to overtake defending champion Winfred Yavi of Bahrain and win Kenya’s gold medal.
Cherotich’s time came on the back straight of the last lap when Yavi clipped a hurdle, opening the gap. The Kenyan capitalized, staying focused as she jumped the fences with ease. She then charged into the final water jump and powered across in 8 minutes 51.59 seconds — the quickest time ever recorded in the event at a World Championships.
Yavi, the Olympic champion turned desert defector from Kenya to Bahrain, had to settle for silver in 8:56.46. Sembo Almayew of Ethiopia took the bronze medal with her new personal best of 8:58.86, completing a heroic performance for the 19-year-old.
Uganda’s Peruth Chemutai, 2021 Olympic gold medalist and silver medalist at last year’s Paris Games, was unable to complete after tripping over a hurdle in the last phase. Her misfortune set the stage for a fierce scramble among the front runners, ultimately decided by Cherotich’s determination and sharp finishing kick.
The victory adds to Kenya’s long tradition of dominance in the steeplechase, cementing the country’s status as a middle and long-distance running power. For Cherotich, who has been slowly working her way up the ranks over the past couple of years, the gold medal is a defining moment in her career and signifies that she is ready to join the ranks of past Kenyan greats.
Other day highlights saw Kenya’s Julius Yego dominate the men’s javelin qualification round. The five-time African champion threw a season’s best 85.96m with his opening attempt, far beyond the automatic qualifying mark of 84.50m. He had already qualified for the final, where he hopes to reclaim the world championship title which he last won in 2015.
With Cherotich’s golden spree and Yego’s good early performance in javelin, Kenya’s Tokyo campaign took a new boost, to add more medals in the days ahead.
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