18-year-old Faith Cherotich sets eyes on Olympics glory after World Championship success
The Kericho-born youngster eyes Olympic glory after historic World Championship bronze in steeplechase triumph.
Faith Cherotich, a 19-year-old Form Four student at Kaliyet Secondary School in Kericho County etched her name in the annals of athletics history by clinching the bronze medal at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest.
The event, which took place last weekend, witnessed Cherotich’s remarkable feat as she conquered the women’s 3,000 meters steeplechase with a personal best time of 9:0.69.
Cherotich’s exceptional achievement not only secured her a spot on the world podium but also established her as the first teenager to ascend this particular medal stand in the event’s history.
The race unfolded in a breathtaking manner, as Bahrain’s Winfred Yavi shadowed the world record holder, Beatrice Chepkoech of Kenya, throughout most of the competition.
Yavi eventually surged ahead in the final 400 meters, seizing the gold and crossing the finish line with a world-leading time of 8 minutes and 54.29 seconds – a time that ranks as the fourth fastest in the event’s records. Chepkoech, at 32 years old, secured the silver medal with a time of 8 minutes and 58.98 seconds.
