Cherotich adopts a wait-and-see’ position as women's 3,000m SC final beckons

‎Olympic and world 3000m steeplechase bronze medallist, Faith  Cherotich, adopted a wait-and-see’ position’ as she prepares to face her fiercest rival, Winfred Yavi of Bahrain, in the final of the 3000m steeplechase in the ongoing World Athletics Championships.

Cherotich admitted that the final would not be easy but promised to give her her best.

Speaking after winning her heat, Cherotich avoided questions about her rivalry with Yavi, saying the final would decide the best athlete in both the water and jump events. 

Cherotich clocked 9:13.95 to win Heat One ahead of Kazakistan’s Norah Jeruto, who clocked 9:14.25. Great Britain’s Elise Thorner (9:14.3) closed the top three positions.

Yavi, who is an Olympic and world champion, won Heat Two in 9:15.63 to confirm a date with Cherotich in the final. Tunisia’s Marwa Bouzayani took second position in 9:15.68 while Ethiopia’s Sembo Almayew (9:15.84) was third.

Kenya’s Celestine Biwot was the biggest casualty of the day after placing seventh in 9:55.22. Uganda’s Peruth Chemutai won Heat Three in 9:07.68 while Doris Lemngole took second position in 9:08.97.

Ethiopia’s Lomi Muleta was third after returning 9:12.20. Cherotich will be aiming to upgrade her World Championships bronze medal to gold in Tokyo.

At the previous edition in Budapest, she secured her first senior global medal when she clocked 9:00.69 for bronze, finishing behind Yavi (8:54.29) and compatriot Beatrice Chepkoech (8:58.98).

‎Cherotich has emerged as one of the most consistent steeplechasers on the Diamond League circuit in 2025.

She kicked off her Diamond League campaign with a dominant display in Doha, clinching victory in 9:05.08. ‎She led Yavi (9:05.26) and Ethiopia's Sembo Almayew (9:09.27) to the podium.

Cherotich followed it up with yet another masterclass in Oslo, winning in 9:02.60, leaving Yavi (9:02.76) and Tunisia's Marwa Bouzayani (9:06.84) in her wake.

On June 20, Cherotich secured her third Diamond League circuit victory in Paris, storming to a then world-leading time of 8:53.37. Cherotich (8:54.41) and Almayew (9:01.22) secured second and third place

‎ She further claimed back-to-back Diamond League trophies after winning in Zurich (8:57.24) to add to the trophy she had won in 2024 in Brussels (9:02.36).