Winfred Yavi upsets Kenyan trio with world leading time to bag Diamond League trophy

ATHLETICS Winfred Yavi upsets Kenyan trio with world leading time to bag Diamond League trophy

Abigael Wafula 22:55 - 16.09.2023

The race had attracted bigwigs including World champion Winfred Yavi and world record holder Beatrice Chepkoech among other strong athletes.

The Prefontaine Classic saw 10 strong women taking to the start line at the Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon for the women’s 3000m Steeplechase with the hope of clinching the top prize.

The race had attracted bigwigs including World champion Winfred Yavi and world record holder Beatrice Chepkoech among other top athletes but it was Yavi who carried the day and took the top honours.

Passing the 400m mark, Cherotich was leading the pack, closely following pacemaker Peruth Chemutai of Uganda. Chepkoech was slowly following behind at the time.

As they were crossing the 800m mark, the youngster was still leading the pack with the world record holder still in second place and running in a relaxed manner.

Approaching the 1200m mark, Jackline Chepkoech took charge with Cherotich now running in second place. At the 1600m mark, three Kenyans were now running in the first three positions with Yavi running in fourth place.

At the 2000m mark, Yavi was coming up slowly with Cherotich now leading the pack of women. The Kenyan-born Bahraini then took charge and was looking very comfortable leading the pack.

Chepkoech gave her all to try and beat Yavi but she was too smart for her. Yavi crossed the finish line first in an impressive world-leading time of 8:50.66 as Chepkoech finished second in 8:51.67. 

Youngster Cherotich finished third, clocking her first-ever sub-nine performance, 8:59.65 to cross the line and join the club of elite women in the steeplechase, just at 19 years old.

Jackline was the other Kenyan in action and she managed to finish fourth in 9:01.18. This is an impressive way for her to end the season especially after her poor show at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. 

Tags: