Chemutai Storms Steeplechase Final at World Championships

Uganda’s Peruth Chemutai has qualified for the women’s 3000m steeplechase final at the ongoing 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo after winning her heat in emphatic fashion.

The 2020 Olympic champion clocked 9:07.68 to take victory in heat three, posting the fastest time across all three heats.

The result hands Chemutai a major confidence boost as she heads into Wednesday’s final, which promises to be highly competitive.

Kenya’s Doris Lemngole and Ethiopia’s Lomi Muleta finished behind Chemutai in her heat, but the Ugandan’s dominant run was the standout performance of the round.

Meanwhile, Loice Chekwemoi missed out on a place in the final despite posting a personal best of 9:25.34 to finish eighth in heat one. Only the top five in each heat qualified for the medal race.

Defending champion and Olympic gold medalist Winfred Yavi of Bahrain also underlined her credentials, winning heat two in 9:15.63.

For Chemutai, Tokyo brings back fond memories—she made history here in 2021 by winning Uganda’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in the steeplechase.

Since then, she has endured mixed fortunes, including a silver medal finish behind Yavi at the Paris 2024 Olympics and a disappointing seventh place at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest.