World Championships 2025: Cherotich to lead Kenya’s chase for 3000m steeplechase title in Tokyo

Kenya’s Faith Cherotich will lead the country’s medal hopes in the women’s 3000m steeplechase when the World Athletics Championships begin in Tokyo on September13.

The 21-year-old, who is the reigning Diamond League champion, arrives in Japan as one of the clear favourites after a stellar season.

Cherotich, the Olympic and world bronze medallist, has already beaten some of the best in the business this year. She clocked 8:48.71 to sit third on the world list and claimed victories in Doha, Oslo, Paris, and Zurich.

Her win in Zurich also secured her second Diamond Trophy in a row, along with the Jesse Owens Rising Star Award. That success earned her a wild card entry, allowing Kenya to field four athletes in Tokyo.

She will be joined by Doris Lemngole, the Lausanne Diamond League winner and a two-time NCAA champion, Pamela Kosgei, a double NCAA champion and younger sister of former marathon world record-holder Brigid Kosgei, and debutant Celestine Biwott.

Together, they form one of the strongest Kenyan squads ever assembled in this event.

The competition will be fierce. World and Olympic champion Winfred Yavi of Bahrain is the fastest this season with 8:45.25, while Uganda’s Olympic champion Peruth Chemutai remains a dangerous contender after finishing second in Paris and third in Eugene.

Ethiopia also presents strong challengers, led by world U20 silver medallist Sembo Almayew and African medalists Lomi Muleta and Alemnat Walle.

Cherotich, however, has already shown she can stand up to pressure. She edged Yavi to the 2024 Diamond League crown and is aiming to go one better than her bronze medals by winning gold in Tokyo.

With Kenya’s rich history in steeplechase, hopes are high that Cherotich can deliver the nation’s first women’s world title in the event since Beatrice Chepkoech’s triumph in 2019.