“We are going to run no matter the hot weather here. It’s only a race, after all.”
That was Faith Cherotich’s statement at a press conference on Monday soon after winning her semi-final heat of women’s 3,000 metres steeplechase at the ongoing 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
The 21-year-old runner won her semi-final heat in 9 minutes and 13.95 seconds to qualify for today’s final. Among others, she will face Kenyan-born Kazakhstani Norah Jeruto (9:14.25) and Great Britain’s Elise Thorner (9.14:69), who finished in second and third places respectively.
Cherotich got the moniker “Last Born” two years ago due to her diminutive nature. She was also the youngest member of the team.
Bronze medallist Faith Cherotich of Kenya celebrates after the 3000m Steeplechase final at the Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France on August 06, 2024.
Photo credit: Hannah Mckay | Reuters
And today at 3.50pm (Kenyan time), Cherotich will face what will be perhaps the biggest race of her career when she comes up against reigning Olympics and world champion, Winfred Yavi of Bahrain, in the final at Tokyo National Stadium.
Cherotich has played bridesmaid to the Kenyan-born Bahraini in championship races, but the Kenyan runner has also had her day in the sun, particularly in Diamond League races.
At the 2023 World Championship in Budapest, Yavi clocked 8 minutes, 54.29 seconds to win the gold medal ahead of world record holder Beatrice Chepkoech of Kenya, who registered 8:58:98, and Cherotich (9:00:69).
At the 2024 Olympic Games, Yavi again won gold in 8:52.76 ahead of 2022 world champion Peruth Chemutai from Uganda who clocked 8:53.34, and third-placed Cherotich (8:55.15).
Uganda's Loice Chekwemoi, Kazakhstan's Norah Jeruto and Kenya's Faith Cherotich in action during the Women's 3000m Steeplechase heats at National Stadium, Tokyo, on September 15, 2025.
Photo credit: Dylan Martinez | Reuters
Cherotich has dominated this season’s Diamond League races, winning in Doha (9:05.08), Oslo (9:02.60), Paris (8:53.37), and in the final staged in Zurich on August 27 and 28 in a time of 8:57.24.
Yavi triumphed in Prefontaine Classic Diamond League in Oregon on July 5 in a blistering time of 8:45.24.
Kenya's Faith Cherotich in action during the women's 3000m steeplechase race at the Doha Diamond League on May 16, 2025.
Photo credit: Reuters
But Cherotich hit back by winning the final of the Diamond League staged in Zurich on August 27 and 28 in a time of 8:57.24.
Although Cherotich has dominated this season’s Diamond League races, it is not a reliable pointer to how today’s race could go because unlike championship races that have preliminary rounds before the final race, Diamond League races are a one-off final of sorts.
On Tuesday, Cherotich sought to downplay her rivalry with Yavi. “It is only a game. It will not be easy, but I will do my best,” she said. Although all eyes will be on Cherotich and Yavi, the other athlete to watch will be 2022 world champion Chemutai. Kenya’s Doris Lemngole will also be in action.
The other athletes who have qualified for the final are Frenchman Flavie Renouard who timed 9:14.69 in the semis, American Lexy Halladay (9:15.06), and German Olivier Gurth (99:15.28).
