Recap of Kenyan-born Winfred Yavi's steeplechase excellence in 2023

Winfred Yavi enjoyed an annus mirabilis at the age of 23 as she won the world title, the Wanda Diamond League Trophy and the Asian Games gold.

But Yavi faced two formidable Kenyan talents in the course of the season in the non-related form of Beatrice and Jackline Chepkoech.

The latter, 19, had won the Commonwealth title in Birmingham the summer before and, less than a month before the World Championships in Budapest, had broken the nine-minute barrier for the first time in winning at the Wanda Diamond League meeting in London in a world lead of 8:57.35.

Beatrice, who had won the 2019 world title a year after lowering the world record to 8:44.32 in Monaco, finished almost seven seconds behind her.

But while the younger Chepkoech may have arrived in Budapest as the slight favorite, she was unable to make her talent tell in the final, finishing ninth in 9:14.72.

The elder Chepkoech, 13 years her senior, lived up to her billing, however, setting an early pace that only Yavi could handle.

Fourth in the previous two World Championships finals, Yavi was not going to miss her chance to finally make it on to the podium as a winner. She steadily closed the gap, then overtook Beatrice at the bell and forged ahead.

She crossed the finish line in 8:54.29, not just eclipsing the younger Chepkoech’s world lead but moving to fourth on the world all-time list.

Budapest 23: Kenyan-born Winfred Yavi seizes 3000m Steeplechase gold, Chepkoech, Cherotich secure silver, bronze

The elder Chepkoech took silver in 8:58.98 for silver and another 19-year-old Kenyan, world U20 champion Faith Cherotich, claimed bronze in 9:00.69 – a first podium finish in the event by a teenager.

“This silver feels like gold to me,” said Chepkoech, who had finished seventh at the Tokyo Olympics and then missed the following year’s World Championships. “The last few years have been tough due to injury. Coming back is something special for me.

“It has been hard. Since the Tokyo Olympics I have been struggling and I thought I might never come back but tonight proves I am still strong.”

A repeat of the world championships as steeplechase medalists clash in Zurich

Yavi maintained her dominance, winning the Wanda Diamond League meeting in Zurich and then finishing her season in spectacular fashion to earn her first Diamond League Trophy in Eugene with an Asian record and world lead of 8:50.66.

She was pursued to the line by Beatrice Chepkoech, who finished in 8:51.67 – the second-fastest time during the year.

© World Athletics.