L. MathekaA repeat of the world championships as steeplechase medalists clash in Zurich
Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 31.08.23. | 13:45
The Diamond League (DL) final is set for 16 and 17 September in Eugene.
In a repeat of the World Athletics Championships 3000m steeplechase women’s final in Budapest, newly-crowned world champion Winfred Yavi, world record holder Beatrice Chepkoech and reigning World U-20 champion Faith Cherotich renew rivalry tonight (9.23 pm) in Zurich.
Kenyan-born Bahraini Winfred Yavi Triumphs in 3000m Steeplechase; Chepkoech, Cherotich Earn Silver, Bronze#Budapest23#Budapest2023#WorldAthleticsChampionshipshttps://t.co/nN7SnHOjfB
— Mozzart Sport Kenya (@MozzartSportKe) August 27, 2023
The three went head-to-head in Budapest with the Kenyan-born Bahraini Yavi clocking 8:54.29, a world lead to give Bahrain their first ever steeplechase world title and a second major title in the water and hurdles event since another Kenya-born athlete, Ruth Jebet won gold for the country in Rio Olympics 2016.
Yavi tracked Chepkoech, who headed to the championship as a favourite despite her form not hitting the 2018 heights when she broke the world record, until the final lap, unleashing a strong kick for the win.
Chepkoech and Cherotich who finished second and third in Budapest will be joined in the race by Commonwealth Games champion Jackline Chepkoech who fizzled out in the Budapest final, finishing ninth.
Zurich Diamond League tonight. 🇰🇪 athletics fans here's what to look out for 👇
— Jeff Kinyanjui (@_JeffKinyanjui) August 31, 2023
3000m Steeplechase Women (10:23PM EAT) - Faith Cherotich, Beatrice Chepkoech, Jackline Chepkoech and Fancy Cherono come up against Kenyan-born Bahraini Winfred Mutile Yavi, Ethiopian Lomi Meluta,… pic.twitter.com/pnbrf492Py
Ethiopia’s Zerfe Wondemagegn who was fourth, France’s Alice Finot who was fifth, Uganda’s Peruth Chemutai, the reigning Olympic champion who placed seventh in Budapest and Kenya’s Fancy Cherono adds to the stellar field that will be chasing points to qualify for the Diamond League final in Eugene.
1500m men (9.41 pm)
It is a similar script for Kenya’s Abel Kipsang and reigning Under-20 champion Reynolds Cheruiyot who failed to medal in Budapest as they go up against world champion Josh Kerr.
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Kerr finished ahead of Jakob Ingebrigtsen and compatriot Narve Nordas who are not in Zurich but Yared Nuguse who finished ahead of Kipsang in the semis but came home in fifth place in the final will compete.
Reynolds was eighth in the final, running 3:30.78 and will hope to improve on his position for more points ahead of the final set for 16 and 17 in Eugene.
Meanwhile, national 1500m champion Kyumbe Munguti lines up in the men’s 5000m at 10.10 pm.
