Olympic bronze medallist Faith Cherotich on Thursday retained her 3,000m steeplechase crown at the Diamond League Final in Zurich, powering home in a commanding 8:57.24. The 21-year-old Kenyan showcased her class once again, stamping her authority on the field to claim back-to-back titles after her breakthrough triumph last year in Brussels.
Cherotich’s performance was decisive as she outpaced 2022 world champion Norah Jeruto of Kazakhstan and Tunisia’s Marwa Bouzayani, who tried to stay in contention but could not match the Kenyan’s composure and finishing strength.
Full Results
- Faith Cherotich (KEN) – 8:57.24
- Norah Jeruto (KAZ) – 9:10.87
- Marwa Bouzayani (TUN) – 9:12.03
- Courtney Wayment (USA) – 9:14.91
- Gabrielle Jennings (USA) – 9:15.56
- Daisy Jepkemei (KAZ) – 9:15.98 SB
- Olivia Markezich (USA) – 9:22.20
- Lea Meyer (GER) – 9:26.08
- Rihab Dhahri (TUN) – 9:51.96
DNF – Gesa Felicitas Krause (GER), Kinga Królik (POL)
With Olympic champion Winfred Yavi of Bahrain and Uganda’s Peruth Chemutai absent, Cherotich seized the opportunity to take control of the race.
Jeruto pushed hard in the opening laps, while Bouzayani ran aggressively before fading, but neither could unsettle the Kenyan, who displayed tactical maturity throughout. The American pair of Wayment and Jennings also challenged, yet Cherotich remained unshaken.
This latest triumph capped an impressive Diamond League season for Cherotich, who had already collected victories in Doha, Oslo, and Paris.
Her only setback came at the Prefontaine Classic in Oregon, where she finished second to Yavi. That race now sets the stage for a mouth-watering showdown at the upcoming World Championships.
Get real time update about this post category directly on your device, subscribe now.
