World under-20 3,000m steeplechase champion Faith Cherotich believes competing against elite runners has aided her transition to the senior category.
Cherotich said competing against the likes of world 3,000m steeplechase record holder Beatrice Chepkoech makes her better and pushes her to work harder towards achieving her targets.
“My transition to the seniors has been okay. I’m always happy whenever I compete with the senior athletes. There are challenges competing in the senior category and these keep pushing me to do better every day,” said Cherotich.
She believes she is on the right path to taking the mantle from Chepkoech once the Police runner hangs her spikes or moves to distance running.
“It’s just last year when I knew I had the potential to rule steeplechase. I will continue watching Chepkoech as I invest in my talent. I am also very happy that I have been selected to go to Budapest (World Championships),” the fast-rising sensation added.
Cherotich, 19, finished third in 9:25.06 at the national trials behind Chepkoech (9:09.43) and Jackline Chepkoech ( 9:14.56).
As she prepares for Budapest, Cherotich said she is inspired by her performances at the World Under 20 Championships in Cali, Colombia, where she clinched the 3,000m steeplechase title.
“Winning in Cali raised my morale. I will be looking back at last year’s win and use it as motivation as I try to deliver a medal for Kenya in Budapest despite the level of competition,” Cherotich said.
In Cali, Cherotich flew from gun to tape to clinch the title in 9:16.14, 14 seconds better than her closest challenger, Sembo Almayew of Ethiopia.
In 2021, aged 17, Cherotich won a bronze medal at the 2021 World Athletics Under-20 Championships held in Nairobi.
She has warned that an injury that slowed her down during the trials is now fully healed and she should be able to perform better in her next assignment.
“I had an injury which slowed my training and I wasn’t even expecting to finish third during the national trials. But at the moment, I feel okay and am training so hard to be on the podium in Budapest, God willing,” she said.
At the Kip Keino Classic in May, Cherotich timed 9:15.08 for the silver medal behind Beatrice, who timed (9:13.51). Jackline completed the podium in 9:25.63.
A week earlier Cherotich had finished third during the Diamond League Meeting in Doha, Qatar where she clocked 9:06.43, two seconds behind Bahrain’s Winfred Yavi, who set a world lead of 9:04.37.
She has a personal best of 9:06.14 a time set in Letzigrund, Zürich in September last year where she finished seventh. Her season best of 9:06.43 came in Doha.
