Cherotich, Yavi rivalry to culminate in a grand face-off in Tokyo

Kenya’s Faith Cherotich (right) and Bahrain’s Winfred Yavi compete in the women’s 3000m steeplechase during the Oslo Diamond League Bislett Games 2025 at Bislett Stadium in Oslo, Norway, on Thursday. [AFP]

Faith Cherotich’s rivalry with Kenyan-born Bahraini Winfred Yavi in the women’s 3000m steeplechase can be compared to the close contests pitting Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Canadian Marco Arop in the men’s 800m last season.

This season, Cherotich, an Olympic bronze medallist, is not giving Yavi, the reigning Olympic champion space to breathe.

On Thursday night, Cherotich, who is transitioning to the senior ranks in style, proved once again that she was set to exert her dominance in the event after edging Yavi in a hotly contested 3000m steeplechase race at the Oslo Diamond League in Norway.

Cherotich, a 20-year-old diminutive figure, had stunned Yavi at the Doha meet on May 16 before reaffirming her push to become an authority in the women’s 3000m steeplechase.

At Oslo, the world bronze medallist stormed to a 9:02.60 world lead, outkicking 25-year-old Yavi, who closely followed in second place in 9:02:76. Marwa Bouzayani of Tunisia, who placed fifth in Doha, moved to the fourth position in Oslo.

But her rivalry with Yavi is just at the initial stages; both are promising a spectacular contest at the 2025 Tokyo World Championships set for September 13-21.

Cherotich said after the world lead in Oslo that her main target was a stellar performance in Tokyo

“I started in Doha and I have seen that I am going on well. My prayer is to run good races throughout the season. My main target is to compete and do well at the Tokyo World Championships in September,” said Cherotich.

To achieve it this time in Tokyo, Cherotich says her training will be much better.

“There are many of us who have the same ambitions (of clinching a world title). But I am going to fight and I will do all my best to achieve my goal. It will be a different result this time in Tokyo. You know, I have been still a junior coming to these events. But now, I am at my best. I have something to build on. When I was running these junior championships, I gained my confidence; I started to believe in myself. So now, I can build on it,” she said.

She went on to say: “For now, I need to do well in my training and keep running well towards the world championships.”

Yavi said she was looking forward to competing in the Eugene Diamond League slated for July 5.

Like Cherotich, her main target is another title at the Tokyo World Championships, where she hopes to defend her title.

“My main target and all I am looking up to is the defence of my world title in Tokyo,” Yavi said.

The Kenyan-born star added: “Today, I executed the race exactly as I was planning with my coach. But yes, now, I am looking forward to the next one, which will be in Eugene. I really love the atmosphere here and the crowd. I did not have the chance to taste strawberries yet.”

Olympic 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi also oozed class with a first 800m Diamond League meeting title this season after a third place in Rabat on May 25.

There is no time for Wanyonyi to rest as he sets sights on another glory at the Stockholm meet on Sunday.

“I am happy with the start to my season in this World Championship year and now, I will go to Stockholm and Monaco, where I hope to get sharp and run faster,” said Wanyonyi.

He continued: “My body felt a little tired as I have come from Kenya so the travel has been long but I am happy with my performance against a strong field and pleased to run a season's best. I really appreciated being here so thank you to the people of Oslo for inviting me and for giving us athletes a nice reception.”

Wanyonyi, a world silver medallist, timed 1:42.78, narrowly defeating Mohamed Attaouiof Spain, who crossed the line in 1:42.90, followed by Algerian Djamel Sedjati (1:43.06).