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Winfred Yavi breaks into tears after warm welcome from parents at JKIA [VIDEO]
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Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 21.08.24. | 12:04
Before jetting back to Nairobi, the 24-year-old, alongside 400m silver medalist Salwa Nasser, visited the Bahraini King, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa
Newly crowned Olympic 3000m steeplechase champion Winfred Yavi struggled to contain her emotions following the warm welcome by her parents and close family members at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Tuesday.
In a video seen by Mozzart Sport, Yavi was captured fighting back tears of joy while holding a bouquet of white and pink flowers, and her medal.
Yavi, who switched to Bahrain in 2016, was returning to the country for the first time since clinching gold at the recently concluded Paris Olympics.
She secured gold in an Olympic record of 8:52.76, beating Ugandan and Tokyo Games champion Peruth Chemutai, who settled for silver in 8:53.34.
The fast-rising Faith Cherotich flew the Kenyan flag high by finishing third in a personal best of 8:55.15.
Before jetting back to Nairobi, the 24-year-old, alongside 400m silver medalist Salwa Nasser, visited the Bahraini King, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
“It was an honour to showcase our Olympic Games experiences and medals. We are deeply grateful for His Majesty’s continued support,” she wrote on her Instagram account.
Mwanariadha wa Bahrain mzaliwa wa Kenya @WinfredYavi atokwa na machozi baada ya kutua humu nchini. Yavi mwenye umri wa miaka 24 alishinda medali ya dhahabu katika mbio za mita 3000 kuruka viunzi.#KituoChaWakenya pic.twitter.com/AJV70OzQ2F
— Radio Jambo (@RadioJamboKenya) August 20, 2024
Meanwhile, the world champion has dropped a hint of a possible stab at the record in the future.
Having clinched both the World and Olympic titles, Yavi was expected to attempt to break the record, that has stood the test of time, having been set six years ago.
Beatrice Chepkoech set the record in Monaco after clocking 8:44.32.
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Interestingly, the previous record was held by Bahraini athlete Ruth Jebet, who set it in Paris in 2016.
Yavi, in an interview with Gulf Daily News, said the record was on her mind, although she did not specify plans to shatter it.
"It is always good to break records, which is my target," she said.
Yavi holds the second fastest time of 8:50.66, set last year in the United States of America, in the water and barrier race.
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