Yavi’s remarkable performance in Rome marked the second-fastest time in history and set a new Asian record.
Bahrain's Winfred Yavi continued her blistering form on Friday, narrowly missing the 3000m steeplechase world record with a phenomenal time of 8:44.39. Yavi dominated the race, leaving her closest challenger, Uganda’s Peruth Chemutai, trailing behind.
Chemutai, once again finishing second to the former Kenyan, posted a time of 8:48.03 to secure silver in Rome, just as she had at the Paris Olympic Games.Kenya's Faith Cherotich posted 8:57.65 to finish in third place.
Yavi’s remarkable performance in Rome marked the second-fastest time in history and set a new Asian record. She started the race with a world-record pace over the first 2000 meters before slightly slowing on the penultimate lap.
Speaking to World Athletics after the race, the Olympic champion expressed her frustration at falling short of the world record. “I looked at the time after the race and I went ‘oh, no!’,” Yavi said. “I was really expecting that record and I was going for it. I definitely feel I should break it and I believe it will happen.
“I need to work even harder, and I am planning to have another go at it before the end of the season. My biggest goal for next year is to become a double world champion.”