Olympic champion Winfred Yavi produced a devastating finishing kick to defeat Commonwealth Games champion Faith Cherotich and set a new meeting record in the women’s 3000m steeplechase at the Diamond League Meeting in Lausanne on Friday, 21 August.Yavi clocked 9:00.04 to claim victory and erase the previous meeting record, while reigning world champion Cherotich crossed the line second in 9:01.90. Download our Mozzart Sport App for more newsTunisia’s Marwa Bouzayani completed the podium in 9:05.55.The race lived up to expectations as Cherotich and Yavi traded the lead throughout an enthralling contest before the Bahraini athlete pulled away over the closing stages.##NAJAVA_MECA_907080##Cherotich made an aggressive start, immediately taking charge of the pace. By the 1200m mark, the Kenyan remained at the front of a tightly packed leading group that also featured Yavi and Bouzayani.Yavi responded by moving into the lead after the 1600m mark, with Cherotich staying close behind as the two favourites began to distance themselves from the rest of the field.Ngetich, Ebenyo to lead Kenya's squad at World Road Running ChampionshipsThe Kenyan reclaimed the lead after the 2000m mark, by which time the front pack had been reduced to five athletes. With the pace increasing, the battle for victory was left to the leading contenders heading into the closing stages.It all came down to a dramatic final lap.Yavi launched her decisive attack after the bell, displaying the finishing speed that earned her Olympic gold. Although Cherotich stayed within touching distance and cleared the final barrier cleanly, she could not match Yavi’s powerful sprint to the finish.Yavi crossed the line first in a meeting record of 9:00.04, with Cherotich following in 9:01.90 to continue her impressive run of podium finishes this season.The result adds another strong performance to Cherotich’s remarkable 2026 campaign, which began after overcoming an injury setback earlier in the year.Defending champions Obiri and Kipruto to headline historic 2026 New York City MarathonThe Kenyan opened her season with podium finishes in China, placing second in Shaoxing/Keqiao in 8:51.48 before finishing third in Xiamen in 8:52.53.She then returned to winning ways at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, where she clocked a world-leading 8:51.74 to claim victory.Ahead of Lausanne, Cherotich also captured the Commonwealth Games title in Glasgow, winning gold in 9:01.76.
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