Olympic bronze medallist Faith Cherotich produced a stunning late surge to win the women’s 3000m steeplechase at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, setting a Championship Record of 5:51.59.

The 21-year-old delivered a powerful kick with half a lap to go, and flew over the final water jump to propel herself into the lead after the final hurdle to snatch victory from Kenyan-born Bahraini Winfred Yavi, who had led for much of the race.

 

The 21-year-old earned bronze at the last World Championships and 2024 Olympics

Yavi settled for silver in 8:56.46 as Cherotich shifted gears in the home stretch to claim her first senior world title.

Ethiopia’s Sembo Almayew took bronze in a PB of 8:58.86.

The win delivered Kenya’s fourth gold medal of the championships and cemented Cherotich’s rising star status on the global stage.

 

Her time was not only the fastest ever run at the World Championships but also underscored her growing dominance in an event long associated with Kenyan excellence.

With her Tokyo triumph, Cherotich is now officially a world champion, a title that marks a turning point in her career and adds to Kenya’s proud middle- and long-distance legacy.

 

Kenya has now 7 titles so far, 4 Gold medals, 1 silver, and 2 bronze medals