Faith Cherotich produced a masterclass performance to claim a 3000 meters steeplechase gold medal with a new championship record on Day 5 of the World Athletics Championships on Wednesday in Tokyo, Japan, a first global title for Kenya over the distance since 2019.

The 2023 world and Olympic bronze medallist shook off stiff competition and snatched the victory from the defending champion, Winfred Yavi of Bahrain, crossing the finish line in 8:51.59, a new championship record.

Yavi settled for silver in 8:56.46, with Asembo Almayew taking bronze (8:5.86).

Another Kenyan Doris Lemngole who was making her debut finished 5th behind Tunisian Marwa Bouyazani who finished 4th.

The 21-year-old Cherotich becomes the 4th Kenyan woman to clinch the world title after Milcah Chemos (2013), Hyvin Kiyeng (2015) and world record holder Beatrice Chepkoech in 2019.

It was Cherotich’s third win over Yavi this year after overcoming her at the Doha and Oslo Diamond League meets.

Kenya remains 2nd on the medal table with 4 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze, behind leaders the USA with 10 medals, 7 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze.