NAIROBI, Kenya – Talk about starting with a bang. Olympic bronze medallist and rising track queen Faith Cherotich delivered a scintillating performance under the Qatari lights on Friday night, kicking off her 3000m steeplechase Diamond League title defense in jaw-dropping fashion at the Doha Diamond League.
Cherotich, just 20, unleashed a stunning late surge to outclass Olympic and world champion Winfred Mutile Yavi in a photo-finish thriller, clocking a world-leading 9:05.08.
The Kenyan tactician timed her move to perfection—powering over the final water jump and final barrier before snatching the win by 0.18 seconds from the Kenyan-born Bahraini rival.
For context, this wasn’t just a win—it was only her third in 11 face-offs against Yavi.
But what a statement. It comes hot on the heels of Cherotich’s Diamond League title win in Brussels last season and solidifies her reputation as one of the sport’s most formidable young talents. It’s no wonder she was named the 2023 World Athletics Rising Star.
The steeplechase win was just the beginning of what turned into a Kenyan showcase in Doha.
Then came the women’s 1500m, where Nelly Chepchirchir kept the Kenyan winning streak alive.
Gliding past the finish line in 4:05.00, she comfortably edged fellow Kenyan Olympian Susan Ejore and Britain’s Jemma Reekie, proving once again that Kenyan women are writing a new chapter in middle-distance dominance.
Kinyamal Caps the Night as Kenya Reclaims Its Track Throne
And just when you thought Kenya was done, former Commonwealth Games champion Wycliffe Kinyamal added a cherry on top in the men’s 800m.
With a powerful late charge, Kinyamal clocked a season’s best of 1:43.37, finishing behind Botswana’s Tshepiso Maselela (1:43.11, world lead) and American Bryce Hoppel (1:43.26).
While it wasn’t a win, it was a reminder that Kinyamal still has the fire—and with that kind of form this early in the season, the Paris Olympics could see him return to his peak.
Final Lap: Kenya Means Business in 2025
From Faith Cherotich’s steeplechase stunner to Nelly Chepchirchir’s elegant 1500m win, Team Kenya walked into Doha and owned the track.
The message was clear: 2025 is Kenya’s season to shine, and the countdown to Paris has never looked more exciting.
