Yavi Stuns Field with World-Leading Time in Eugene
Winfred Yavi delivered a statement at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, storming to victory in the women's 3,000m steeplechase with the fastest time in the world this year.
The Bahraini world and Olympic champion clocked 8:45.25 — a new meet record and her first sub-nine-minute run of the season. It was her first win of the 2025 Diamond League campaign after two runner-up finishes.
Yavi beat her main rival Faith Cherotich by over three seconds, reversing the result from their previous encounters. Uganda's Peruth Chemutai took third in a fast-paced race where the top eight runners all posted personal or seasonal bests.
The 25-year-old shattered her own previous meet record and came within a whisker of her personal best, which also stands as the Asian record and the second-fastest time in history.
Yavi is expected to lead Bahrain's charge at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September.
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