
Faith Cherotich carrying Kenya's hopes for steeplechase gold
Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 15.09.25. | 05:06
Kenya last won the title in 2019 when world record holder, Chepkoech, dominated in Doha
There was never doubt as to whether Faith Cherotich would qualify for the final of the women's 3000m steeplechase, baring calamity, a feat she achieved in winning heat one on Monday, 15 September morning.
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A World and Olympic bronze medalist, Cherotich will shoulder the burden of a nation alongside Doris Lemngole, in the final after the other two Kenyans failed to advance.
Kenya last won the title in 2019 when world record holder, Chepkoech, raced to victory.
Cherotich who has been in fine form, beating Olympic champion Winfred Yavi thrice, in the build up to Tokyo is looking to deliver the nation's fourth world title. The three include Beatrice Chepkoech's 2019 gold that added to Milcah Chemos' and Hyvin Kiyeng's back-to-back crowns in 2013 and 2015.
Cherotich was a cut above the rest of the field, clocking 9:13.95 to win her heat and qualify. She went to the front right from the start, dictate pace in a race that had teammate Cellestine Biwott (9:17.06), Kenyan-born Kazakhstani Norah Jeruto (8:53.02), and Ethiopia's Alemnat Walle (9:06.88), keeping chase.
As the tempo went a notch higher with three laps remaining, Biwott was dropped to the back and she never recovered, going on to clock 9:22.55 for seventh. Cherotich finished ahead of Jeruto
The Diamond League champion goes head to head with Kenyan-born Bahraini Yavi, who won heat two in 9:15.63 ahead of Tunisia's Marwa Bouzayani and Sembo Almayew.
In their last meeting, at the Prefontaine Classic, the reigning bronze medalist finished second behind Yavi, before regrouping to lift the Diamond League title in her absence.
On her part, two-time NCAA champion Lemngole clocked 9:08.97 to finish behind former Olympic champion Peruth Chemutai for a place in the final.
US-based Pamela Kosgei, racing alongside Yavi faded to tenth place in heat two to miss out of a Final spot.













