The Ultimate Comeback: How Faith Cherotich Outran Winfred Yavi in the Final Lap

Faith Cherotich of Kenya won the women’s 3000m steeplechase gold at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. Reuters+2The Standard+2

She overtook defending champion Winfred Yavi in the final lap, taking gold with a championship record time of 8:51.59. Reuters+2Athletics Weekly+2

Winfred Yavi took silver with time ~8:56.46. Reuters+2World Athletics+2

Ethiopia’s Sembo Almayew got bronze in a personal best of ~8:58.86. Reuters+2World Athletics+2

The race was dramatic: Yavi stumbled over a hurdle in the back straight, a strong finish by Cherotich, other falls (e.g. at last water jump) from some contenders.