Faith Cherotich has been knocking on the door of greatness, and the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo could be the stage where she finally breaks through to clinch her first-ever gold medal.
The 21-year-old has consistently shown promise on the biggest platforms, winning bronze at the 2023 World Championships and the 2024 Olympics. However, 2025 has been a different story for the Kenyan star, with her form suggesting she is ready to upgrade to gold.
Cherotich has dominated the Diamond League this season, winning three out of four meetings while finishing second in the other. She capped it off by securing the Diamond League Trophy, stamping her authority as a genuine contender for the global crown. Crucially, three of those victories came against reigning world and Olympic champion Winfred Yavi, who has been her biggest obstacle in recent years.
What is giving Cherotich confidence in Tokyo is the fact that she has not only matched Yavi stride for stride but also beaten her on the grandest stages of the Diamond League. “I have really performed well this year, and this has inspired a lot of confidence in me. It showed me the best tactics to use and how to manage the race, and I believe I am ready to give my best in Tokyo,” she said recently.
Cherotich heads into the championships with a season and personal best of 8:48.71, recorded at the Prefontaine Classic in July. That mark is the fourth fastest time in history, only behind Beatrice Chepkoech’s world record of 8:44.32, Yavi’s 8:44.39, and Peruth Chemutai’s 8:48.03. With Yavi and Chemutai also competing in Tokyo, the stage is set for a thrilling showdown.
Kenyan-born Kazakhstan athletes Norah Jeruto and Daisy Jepkemei add further intrigue to the competition, ensuring that Cherotich will have to be at her very best to claim the crown. However, having worked closely with her coach to refine her tactics since the national trials, she believes she has addressed her weaknesses and is peaking at just the right time.
The women’s 3,000m steeplechase heats begin on Monday, September 15. For Cherotich, it is more than just another race it is the chance to finally silence her rivals and write her name into athletics history
