Faith Cherotich secures season’s first Diamond League triumph in Eugene
By Joel Masibo, July 5, 2026World champion Faith Cherotich delivered a commanding performance to win the women’s 3,000m steeplechase at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, on Saturday, July 4, 2026, registering her first Diamond League victory of the 2026 season.
The 21-year-old Kenyan crossed the finish line in 8:51.74, comfortably holding off Bahrain’s Olympic champion Winfred Yavi, who settled for second place after posting 8:52.84.
Tunisia’s Marwa Bouzayani completed the top three, producing a national record of 8:54.32 to earn a place on the podium.
The Eugene meeting marked Cherotich’s Diamond League debut of the year and only her third competitive outing this season.
Her campaign began with a runner-up finish at the opening Diamond League event in Shanghai, where she recorded 8:51.48. She followed that performance with a third-place finish in Xiamen, clocking 8:52.53.
The victory in Eugene provides a timely confidence boost as Cherotich prepares for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, scheduled from July 23 to August 8, where she is expected to represent Kenya in the women’s 3,000m steeplechase.
China outing
Ealier in 2026, Faith Cherotich endured another tough outing, finishing third at the Xiamen Diamond League this Saturday, May 23, 2026.
The Kenyan was narrowly edged out for a second consecutive time by Uganda’s Peruth Chemutai, who clocked an impressive 8:51.06 to claim back-to-back steeplechase victories in China.
With this feat, Chemutai lowered her own world-leading time. Kenyan-born Winfred Yavi of Bahrain secured second place in 8:51.54 after a closely contested battle, while Cherotich crossed the line in 8:52.53 to round out the podium.
Women steeplechase exploits
Recent seasons have seen the pendulum swing between these elite athletes. Yavi and Cherotich have dominated the steeplechase in recent years, capturing three Diamond League titles and 12 Diamond League meeting victories between them over the last three seasons.
Cherotich, who delivered a masterclass to dethrone Yavi and capture the world crown in September 2025, has since faced a fierce challenge from her two rivals.