STEEPLECHASE REVIVAL

Cherotich defies competition to clinch steeplechase trophy in Brussels

Cherotich clocked 9:02.36 to secure the trophy, outpacing Olympic champion Winfred Yavi of Bahrain (9:0287) and Uganda's Peruth Chemutai (9:07.60).

In Summary

• The victory marked a sweet revenge for Cherotich, who trailed Yavi and Chemutai in their previous clash at the Rome Diamond League on August 30. 

• Meanwhile, three-time Olympic 1500m champion Faith Kipyegon continued her dominance, cruising to victory in 3:54.75 to beat Ethiopian Diribe Welteji (3:55.25) and Australia's Jessica Hull (3:56.99).

Faith Cherotich crosse's the finish line during the women's 3,000m steeplechase in Brussels
Faith Cherotich crosse's the finish line during the women's 3,000m steeplechase in Brussels
Image: WORLD ATHLETICS

 Olympic 3,000m steeplechase bronze medallist, Faith Cherotich, stamped her authority at the Diamond League finals in Brussels to clinch the trophy.

Cherotich clocked 9:02.36 to secure the trophy after outpacing Olympic champion Winfred Yavi of Bahrain (9:0287) and Uganda's Peruth Chemutai (9:07.60).

The victory marked a sweet revenge for Cherotich, who had trailed Yavi and Chemutai in their previous clash at the Rome Diamond League on August 30. 

Yavi won the race in a world-leading time of 8:44.39 with Chemutai second (8:48.03) and Cherotich third (8:57.65).

Yavi had also claimed the Olympic crown in Paris, setting an Olympic record of 8:52.76, with Chemutai (8:53.34) and Cherotich (8:55.15) rounding out the podium.

Cherotich adds the Diamond League trophy to her already growing cabinet, including a bronze medal from last year's World Championships, a gold medal from the 2022 World U20 Championships and bronze from the 2021 edition, and a silver from last year's World Cross Country Championships.

Cherotich’s triumph in Brussels followed Amos Serem's stunning victory in the men's steeplechase on Friday, where he edged out Olympic champion Soufiane El Bakkali with a time of 8:06.90 to Bakkali's 8:08.60.

Meanwhile, three-time Olympic 1500m champion Faith Kipyegon continued her dominance, cruising to victory in 3:54.75. She beat  Ethiopian Diribe Welteji (3:55.25) and Australia's Jessica Hull (3:56.99) to second and third places respectively.

Double Olympic champion Beatrice Chebet set a new meet record of 14:09.82 in the women's 5,000m, leading Ethiopian's Medina Eisa (14:21.89) and Fotyen Tesfay (14:28.53) to the podium.

Olympic 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi clocked 1:42.70 to clinch the trophy, leading Algeria's Djamel Sedjati (1:42.86) and Canada's Marco Arop (1:43.25).