World Athletics Championships 2025: Faith Cherotich Shares What She is Counting to Silence Winfred Yavi

Faith Cherotich has been knocking on the door and the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo could be when it is finally opened.

The 21-year-old has won bronze both at the 2023 world championships and 2024 Olympics but in 2025, she has shown gold medal form.

This is because Cherotich has three series meeting wins in four Diamond League races, the other being second place, while she also won the Diamond League Trophy at the season finale.

PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Sports News in Kenya from Pulse Sports

From the four wins, three have been against world and Olympics champion Winfred Yavi, her biggest rival for a gold medal in Tokyo.

Yavi had gotten the better of Cherotich at the 2023 World Championships and 2024 Olympics but the Diamond League performance of 2025 is giving the Kenyan plenty of belief that she will deliver gold in Tokyo.

“I have really performed well at the Diamond League and this has inspired a lot of confidence in me,” Cherotich told Telecomasia.net.

“It showed me the best tactics to use and how to manage the race and these are some of the lessons I take to Tokyo. I believe I am ready and have prepared well.

“Since the national trials, I have worked with my coach to improve on areas we felt were not working and I have come out very strong after that. I am ready to go to Tokyo and give my best and I am confident that I can go for the title.”

Cherotich has a season and personal best of 8:48.71, recorded at the Prefontaine Classic in July 2025, which is the fourth fastest time in history, behind world record holder Beatrice Chepkoech (8:44.32), Yavi (8:44.39) and Ugandan Peruth Chemutai (8:48.03).

Of the three, Yavi and Chemutai are in Tokyo and having raced against them and recorded wins this year, Cherotich will be confident of winning a first-ever world title although Kenyan-born Kazakhstanis Norah Jeruto and Daisy Jepkemei also pose a threat.

The women’s 3,000m steeplechase will begin on Monday September 15 with the heats.