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Cherotich, Yavi clash in Doha Diamond League
What you need to know:
- In the men's 800m, Kinyamal, Cheminingwa, and Laban Chepkwony will face stiff competition from Olympic fourth-place finisher, Bryce Hoppel, Tshepiso Masalela, Slimane Moula, and Andreas Kramer.
- In the women’s 1,500m, Kenya’s Susan Ejore, an Olympic and world indoor finalist, lines up alongside compatriot Nelly Chepchirchir, Adelle Tracey, and world indoor silver medallist, Jemma Reekie.
A thrilling rematch awaits in the women’s 3,000m steeplechase at the Doha Diamond League this evening, as Kenya’s Faith Cherotich and Bahraini star Winfred Yavi face off once again.
Cherotich, the 2024 Paris Olympic Games bronze medallist, will be up against Kenyan-born Yavi—who won Olympic gold in Paris—in their first meeting since the Kenyan upstaged the Bahraini at the Diamond League final on September 14 last year in Brussels, Belgium.
Yavi, 25, had previously beaten Cherotich—nicknamed “Last Born”—at both the Paris Olympic Games and the Rome Diamond League meet. In Rome, the Kenyan finished third behind Yavi and Uganda’s 2020 Tokyo Olympic champion Peruth Chemutai.
The Doha race marks the trio's first Diamond League appearance of the 2025 season. For Cherotich, also the reigning world under-20 champion, it will be her debut outing as the Diamond League series champion.
Women’s steeplechase returns to the Doha leg after being omitted last year. In 2023, Yavi won the race in 9:04.38, edging out Ethiopia’s Sembo Almayew (9:05.83) and Cherotich (9:06.43).
This year’s line-up features a strong field, including Almayew, 2022 world champion Norah Jeruto, and her sister Daisy Jepkemei, both now representing Kazakhstan.
The event promises to be a lively affair at the Qatar Sports Club, where Kenyan and Ethiopian fans are expected to cheer their athletes passionately.
“I am looking for a beautiful race after a good training in Kaptagat,” said Cherotich, 20. “I want to make it better this season as I look forward to the world championships later this year.”
Cherotich made history in 2023 as the youngest medallist in the women’s 3,000m steeplechase at the World Championships in Budapest, claiming bronze behind Yavi and world record holder Beatrice Chepkoech.
Her stellar performances have earned her international recognition. She was named the 2023 Rising Star at the World Athletics Awards in Monaco, a year after winning Most Promising Female Athlete at Kenya’s Sports Personality of the Year Awards (SOYA).
Other Kenyan athletes will also be in action in Doha, including 2015 world javelin champion and 2016 Olympic silver medallist, Julius Yego, Commonwealth Games 800m champion, Wycliffe Kinyamal, and African Games 800m champion, Aaron Cheminingwa.
Yego will go up against Indian javelin star, Neeraj Chopra, the Tokyo Olympic champion who made history in 2022 by becoming the first Indian to win the Diamond League title. Chopra will aim to kick off his 2025 campaign with a victory.
Also in the javelin mix are Czechia’s Jakub Vadlejch, who defeated Chopra in Doha last year, Olympic bronze medallist Anderson Peters, Keshorn Walcott, and Julian Weber.
In the men’s 5,000m, Kenya’s Reynold Kipkorir, Cornelius Kembi, and Edwin Kurgat will take on Ethiopia’s Olympic silver medallist, Berihu Aregawi, and Kuma Girma.
In the men's 800m, Kinyamal, Cheminingwa, and Laban Chepkwony will face stiff competition from Olympic fourth-place finisher, Bryce Hoppel, Tshepiso Masalela, Slimane Moula, and Andreas Kramer.
In the women’s 1,500m, Kenya’s Susan Ejore, an Olympic and world indoor finalist, lines up alongside compatriot Nelly Chepchirchir, Adelle Tracey, and world indoor silver medallist, Jemma Reekie.
Fridays' Programme
7.04pm: 400m Women
7.10pm: High Jump Men
7.13: 800m Men
7.24: 110m Hurdles Men
7.36: 100m Women
7.43: Javelin Men
7.45: 5000m Men
8.08: 1500m Women
8.22: 200m Men
8.33: 400m Hurdles Men
8.44: 3000m Steeplechase Women