Cherotich, who delivered bronze for Kenya at the Paris Olympics in the 3000m steeplechase as she lost to Kenyan-born Baharani Winfred Yavi, has revealed what she learnt about herself by beating the 24-year-old in the Diamond League final
Faith Cherotich, Kenya’s 20-year-old steeplechase sensation and reigning Olympic bronze medalist, has issued a bold warning to her competitors, including Bahraini star Winfred Yavi, asserting that she no longer feels intimidated by them after a breakthrough victory in 2024.
Cherotich, who had been shadowed by a consistent third-place curse, ended her season on a high by clinching her first-ever international win at the Diamond League final.
This victory has fueled her belief in her potential to dominate the 3000m steeplechase field, including challenging the indomitable Yavi, who had an exceptional 2024 season.
The Kenyan-born Bahraini elicited mixed reactions from fans after taking a photo of herself training at Nyayo Stadium ahead of the season final in Brussels.
Cherotich’s 2024 season began with a familiar pattern. She finished third in the Diamond League meetings in Xiamen and at the Prefontaine Classic. Her bronze medal at the Paris Olympics continued this trend, as did her third-place finish at the Rome Diamond League shortly after.
However, Cherotich shattered the narrative with a stunning victory at the Diamond League final, finally breaking free from the grip of third place. Reflecting on this milestone, she admitted that doubts about her abilities had held her back before the win.
“I now have the confidence,” Cherotich said in an interview with NTV. “Yavi will not scare me anymore. Not just Yavi, but my other competitors as well.”
Cherotich’s coach, Bernard Rono, highlighted her struggle with self-belief as her biggest obstacle. Rono, who was in Peru with Kenya’s U-20 team during the Paris Olympics, noticed that Cherotich’s mental approach had hindered her potential to secure gold.
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Faith Cherotich has reiterated that there was no pre-race plan with Peruth Chemutai prior to the women’s 3000m steeplechase in Brussels where she claimed a win over Winfred Yavi.
“I noticed Faith was okay physically, but there was still a problem mentally. She still had a tendency not to believe in herself,” Rono said.
Rono revealed that after the Rome Diamond League, Cherotich admitted to being afraid of overexerting herself. He immediately shifted his focus to helping her overcome this mindset.
“When I came back, we worked on her confidence. That victory in the Diamond League final proved to her that she has what it takes to win,” Rono explained.
Cherotich described her bronze-medal performance at the Olympics as a revelation.
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Standing since 2018, Beatrice Chepkoech’s women’s 3000m steeplechase world record faces rising challenges from Diana Chepkemoi and Winfred Yavi.
“I was very confused at the podium because I just could not believe it. But I was happy,” she said. “That is when I knew it was possible. I returned home, trained for Rome, and then for the final, I wanted to ensure I won just to get this ‘number three’ monkey off my back.”
Winfred Yavi, the Bahraini steeplechase star who was born and raised in Kenya and still resides in the country, has been a dominant force in the discipline, winning Olympic gold in Paris, as well as the World title in Budapest in 2023.
She clocked a blistering 8:44.39 in Rome, nearly breaking the world record. However, Cherotich’s newfound confidence could pose a significant challenge to Yavi’s reign.
“I don’t fear Yavi anymore,” Cherotich declared.
As the steeplechase competition heats up in 2025, Cherotich’s determination to build on her Diamond League triumph and challenge for world records sets the stage for thrilling showdowns. With her mental barriers overcome, she could be poised to redefine the discipline.
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