Dubai: Bahrain’s Winfred Yavi, who clinched the women’s 3,000-metre steeplechase in an Olympic record time on Tuesday night, has warned her rivals that it is just the beginning of what is to come in the future.
The 24-year-old Kenyan-born athlete produced a splendid finish in the final stretch to edge out Uganda’s defending champion Peruth Chemutai to cross the finish line in 8:52.76 while Kenya’s 20-year-old Faith Cherotich claimed the bronze in 8:55.15, finishing two seconds behind the silver medallist.
“I want the youth to know that with hard work, perseverance and a little bit of belief in themselves, anything is possible. I want them to know that their dreams are valid, their aspirations achievable. This is just the beginning and I’m excited to see what the future holds,” Yavi told Gulf News.
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Inspiration to young Bahrainis
“I hope my victory inspires young people in Bahrain and across the region to pursue their dreams, especially in sports. Everything can be achieved with the immense support from Bahrain Athletics Association and the Bahrain Olympic Committee.”
Yavi’s celebration after the stunning win said it all. Chemutai was in the lead until the Bahraini’s final sprint that left the defending champion devastated. World record holder Beatrice Chepkoech set the early pace with five athletes still in the running with one lap to go. Chepkoech faded to sixth place with Yavi and Chemutai getting tangled up in a fight for the line.
Shoulder-to-shoulder battle
At the final water barrier, Chemutai still had a metre or so on with Yavi running on her heels. The two were shoulder-to-shoulder over the final barrier before Yavi pulled away to take the victory.
Yavi became only the third athlete to win a gold for Bahrain at the Olympics and is the second behind Ruth Jebet at Rio 2016 to claim the women’s 3,000-metre crown.
Yavi moved to Bahrain at the age of 15 and first competed in the 2017 World Championships in Athletics at the age of 17 and finished eighth in the steeplechase final. She won the 3,000-metre gold medal at the 2023 World Athletics Championships beating Beatrice Chepkoech of Kenya. Yavi had also won the gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games. She also took bronze in the 1,500 metres, gold in the 5,000-metre and the 3,000-metre steeplechase at the 2019 Asian Athletics Championships.
“This is like a dream come true. It’s something special,” Yavi, who crossed the line with arms outstretched in celebration, said after the race. “It means a lot to me and also to the country.”
