Doha DL: Faith Cherotich beats Olympic champion to set steeplechase World Lead
Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 16.05.25. | 21:28
The 20-year-old, fondly known as “Last Born” , flipped the script on her rival, who had beaten her in both the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and last year’s Rome Diamond League
Kenya's Faith Cherotich delivered a powerful finish to beat Bahrain’s Winfred Yavi in the women’s 3000m steeplechase at the Doha Diamond League on Friday night.
Cherotich clocking a world-leading time 9:05.08 to floor the reigning World and Olympic champion in the final track event in the night.
Yavi, the pre-race favourite, cleared the final barrier first but could not find an answer to Cherotich's kick and would settle for second in 9:05.26.
The race got off to a moderate pace, with Yavi,Cherotich and other top athletes including former Olympic champion Peruth Chemutai tucking in behind the pacemakers.
Ethiopia’s Sembo Almayew and Kenyan-born Bahraini athlete Daisy Jepkemei exchanged leads early into the race, with Cherotich following in closely.
At the 2600m mark, Yavi and Cherotich broke away from the field, with the former appearing to be in control and on course for another win over the Kenyan.
But with 200 meters to go, Cherotich unleashed a decisive surge, clearing the final water jump with precision before outsprinting Yavi to the finish.
The 20-year-old, fondly known as “Last Born” , flipped the script on her rival, who had beaten her in both the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and last year’s Rome Diamond League.
This was the opening Diamond League appearance of the 2025 season for both athletes, and Cherotich's first as the reigning series champion.
The women’s steeplechase made its return to the Doha meet after being dropped in 2024.
In 2023, Yavi claimed victory in 9:04.38, ahead of Almayew and Cherotich.
This year’s field featured a formidable line-up, including 2022 world champion Norah Jeruto and her sister Daisy Jepkemei, both now representing Kazakhstan.
With passionate Kenyan and Ethiopian fans creating an electric atmosphere at Qatar Sports Club, the race lived up to its billing as one of the night’s most exciting showdowns.
