Cherotich, Yavi to continue fierce rivalry in Eugene
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Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 31.05.25. | 11:40
The Kenyan youngster emerged winner in their last matchup in Doha, taking the steeplechase world lead
2024 Olympic bronze medalist Faith Cherotich will look to build on the damage she inflicted on Kenyan-born Bahraini Winfred Yavi in Doha as the two fierce rivals meet once again in July’s Prefontaine Classic in Eugene.
The duo, just as in the Doha Diamond League two weeks ago, will be joined by Uganda’s Peruth Chemutai, marking a sequel for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games podium finishers.
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Unlike previous meetings, Kenyan youngster Cherotich threw a cat among the pigeons when she outstaged her two competitors to win the steeplechase event at the Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium in a world lead time of 9:05.08.
Cherotich, who took bronze in the Olympics last year, produced a stunning kick in the final 200m to overhaul pre-race favorite Yavi, who came second in a season-best 9:05.26.
©Gallo ImagesTwo-time Olympic medalist Chemutai, who last year in Eugene timed 8:55.09 to set both a new world lead and a Ugandan national record, could only finish seventh, clocking 9:15.55.
The 50th edition of The Prefontaine Classic at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon will now carry the fallout from that race, promising a cracker that will surely set the tone for the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
“I think I can build on this momentum and continue with good results this season,” 20-year-old Cherotich said after her “surprise” win in Doha. “When I won my medal in Paris, it helped me a lot in my life, and helped me to focus on training and competing even more.”
The race adds to the spicy meeting program that now has six Paris Olympics podium rematches.
Other Kenyans - Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet - will line up in the event for the women’s 1500 and 5000m races, respectively.
