Tokyo World Athletics Championships 2025: Women’s 3000m Steeplechase Set for a Historic Showdown

By: Denise N. Fyffe

The women’s 3000m steeplechase has become one of the most exciting and unpredictable events in athletics, blending endurance, speed, and technical mastery over barriers and water jumps. At the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships, fans are anticipating one of the most competitive steeplechase finals in history, with global champions, Olympic medalists, and rising stars all set to collide.

Winfred Yavi: The Reigning Queen

Bahrain’s Winfred Yavi arrives in Tokyo as the undisputed favorite, chasing her third consecutive global title. After claiming gold at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest (8:54.29) and backing it up with an Olympic triumph in Paris 2024 (8:52.76), Yavi has firmly established herself as the athlete to beat.

Her performances since then have been nothing short of breathtaking. At the 2024 Rome Golden Gala, she nearly broke Beatrice Chepkoech’s world record, running 8:44.39, missing by just 0.07 seconds. In 2025, Yavi has maintained her dominance with victories at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene (8:45.25) and Heusden Zolder (8:49.59).

A win in Tokyo would not only secure her third global crown but also move her closer to cementing her legacy as one of the greatest steeplechasers in history.

Faith Cherotich: The Relentless Challenger

Kenya’s Faith Cherotich has consistently been Yavi’s closest rival. The young star has already proven her mettle with bronze medals at the 2023 World Championships (9:00.69) and the 2024 Paris Olympics. Known for her fearless racing style, Cherotich thrives in high-pressure moments and has a habit of pushing Yavi to the limit.

She enters Tokyo in red-hot form, having secured back-to-back Diamond League titles in Brussels 2024 (9:02.36) and Zurich 2025 (8:57.24). Earlier this season, she clocked an impressive 8:53.37 in Paris and finished a close second to Yavi in Eugene (8:48.71). With her steady progression, Cherotich could finally turn bronze into gold on the world stage.

Doris Lemingole: The Rising Star

Another Kenyan, Doris Lemingole, is making her much-anticipated debut at a major global championship. Lemingole’s breakout came in June 2024, when she won the NCAA title in 8:58.15, marking herself as one to watch. Her confidence soared further when she captured her first Diamond League win in Lausanne (9:16.36).

Though untested at this level, Lemingole’s talent, youth, and aggressive front-running style make her a dangerous outsider. She represents the new wave of Kenyan dominance in the steeplechase and could spring a surprise in Tokyo.

Peruth Chemutai: A Tokyo Favorite Returns

Uganda’s Peruth Chemutai has a special bond with Tokyo. In the Japanese capital, she made history by winning the Olympic title in 2021 (9:01.46), becoming Uganda’s first female Olympic champion. Since then, she has remained a consistent force on the global stage.

Chemutai added another medal with bronze at the Paris 2024 Olympics (8:53.34) and continues to run at a world-class level. She set a national record of 8:48.03 in Rome in 2024 and posted a seasonal best of 8:51.77 in Eugene last July. Returning to Tokyo, she will be determined to recreate the magic of her historic Olympic victory.

A Battle of Generations and Styles

The 2025 steeplechase final is shaping up to be a clash of champions and challengers:

Yavi, the reigning queen, chasing a third straight global title.
Cherotich, the young rival, eager to step out of Yavi’s shadow.
Lemingole, the fearless newcomer with untapped potential.
Chemutai, the Tokyo Olympic hero, returning to a track where history was made.

With times regularly dipping under 8:50, the women’s steeplechase has reached a new era of speed and unpredictability. Fans in Tokyo can expect a thrilling, all-out battle where records could fall, and legends could be made.

*****

About the writer: Denise N. Fyffe is a publisher and author for more than 15 years. She has written more than 70 books and enjoys mentoring, gardening and traveling. She is also a trainer and educator, helping others to achieve their dreams.