Faith Cherotich believes she is on course to deliver a historic gold medal for Kenya in the 3,000m steeplechase at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo. The 20-year-old, already an Olympic and World bronze medalist, is eyeing her first major title, buoyed by consistent performances this season.
Despite clocking a slower time of 9:09.44 at the Athletics Kenya World Championships trials at Ulinzi Complex in Nairobi, Cherotich remains optimistic. She had already qualified for the global event, and her focus was on sharpening her performance and adapting to high altitude conditions. The Nairobi event gave her an opportunity to test her fitness and strategy, which she feels are steadily improving.
Her confidence stems from an impressive 8:48.71 run at the Prefontaine Classic earlier this month her personal best. That performance, against elite competition, was a turning point. She believes it demonstrated her readiness to challenge for gold on the world stage.
“I have been struggling in the last two weeks and I did not know I was going to face a high altitude,” she admitted. “But running 8:48 tells me I am capable of making it at the Worlds. I have to prepare so well because we are going to the Worlds. I need to do more workouts and drills to be ready.”
Cherotich has emerged as a serious contender to dethrone defending world and Olympic champion Winfred Yavi. The Kenyan-born Bahraini has dominated the steeplechase in recent years, but Cherotich has beaten her twice this season and boasts three Diamond League wins from four appearances, with the only blemish being a second-place finish.
She insists that teamwork will be key in Tokyo, where she will be joined by Doris Cherop and Pamela Kosgei. With Beatrice Chepkoech, the 2019 champion and world record holder, currently battling form and injuries, the responsibility to reclaim Kenya’s dominance in the women’s steeplechase rests on the young trio.
“I will sit with the coach and plan well. Last time, I was not prepared but this year, I am more prepared. I know it will be tough but I am ready for them. We will work as a team to ensure we bring the medals home,” she stated.
