'Small Faith' yearns for more after third Diamond League victory in Paris

Kenya's Faith Cherotich (right) and Peruth Chemutai of Uganda in action during the women's 3000m race at the Meeting de Paris, Wanda Diamond League, at Charlety Stadium in Paris, France, on Friday. [AFP]

Propelled by her third Diamond League meeting victory at the Paris Diamond League on Friday night, Olympic 3000m steeplechase bronze medallist Faith Cherotich is yearning for more glory.

The 20-year-old star charged to an 8:53.37 World Lead and Personal Best as she shocked Olympic gold medallist, Peruth Chemutai in the showdown staged at the Stade Charlety in Paris.

And she promises to lower that time in her upcoming races and ahead of the Tokyo World Championships in September.

Although her next Diamond League stop is yet to be announced, Cherotich—who is also a world bronze medalist—unleashed a powerful kick on Friday night and said the three wins from Doha, Oslo, and Paris had shored up her confidence this season.

Chemutai, who ran on the front before she was outkicked by a more tactical Cherotich, timed 8:54.51 for the second place ahead of Ethiopia's Almayew Sembo, who came in third in 9:01.22.

“For now, I have the confidence to run the next race. I plan to run a good race in my next competition,” Cherotich said after the race.

The steeplechase star went on to say: “Everyone is in good shape, and I need to prepare my mind. I am going to improve on some areas of weakness and return for a better race.”

“The race in Paris was not easy. But when we were starting, I felt that the pace was so fast, and it became clear to me I was going to run my PB. Peruth was in front, and I chased, and when I came to the front, I knew that it was going to be a PB.”

It was also a glorious night for Olympian Nelly Chepchirchir, who produced an exciting performance in the women’s 1500m, punctuating it with a sensational power down the final 100m.

Chepchirchir delivered a strong finish in the home straight to hold off everyone else and take victory in 3:57.02.

She defeated Irish star Healy Sarah and Haylom Birke of Ethiopia, who finished second and third, respectively, in 3:57.02 and 3:57.50.

History was written in the men’s 1500m after Phanuel Koech stunned big shots.

Despite a second place, Koech stormed to a World Under-20 record of 3:27.72 in the distance.

He was second behind Frenchman Habz Azeddine, who claimed victory in 3:27.49.

Kenyan men Festus Lagat and African gold medallist Abel Kipsang clocked 3:29.03 and 3:29.46 for their fourth and sixth positions, respectively.

Ethiopian Lamecha Girma, who has been battling a serious head injury he picked up during a fall at the Paris Olympics last August, made a major comeback, announcing his return in Paris, where he broke the 3000m steeplechase world record in 2023.

He won the men’s 3000m steeplechase, beating Moroccan Ben Yazide and his compatriot Wale Getnet.

"It took me three to four months to recover. I had to see several doctors. After that, I was able to gradually reintroduce intensity into my training. I'm happy to be in good enough shape to be at the start of a competition, and above all to be healthy. I didn't have a specific diagnosis, the doctors just told me I had to take a long rest, and that's what I did. At one point, I was afraid I would never be able to run again. I took it easy and progressed little by little. I'm proud to have overcome this shock," Girma said.