Chemutai-Cherotich battle at Paris stage

Peruth Chemutai felt significantly positive after she bounced back with a commanding run to win the 3000-metre steeplechase race during the 44th Fanny Blankers-Koen (FBK) Games in the Netherlands at the beginning of last week.

Having suffered a wobbly start to the season at the Doha Diamond League (DL) in Qatar on May 16, Chemutai got her season back in fine state by winning in Hengelo in a time of nine minutes and 7.79 seconds.

That victory on a fast track elevated Chemutai to currently the fifth runner over the water-jump race in 2025.

“My training is going well but I decided to come here (Netherlands) and see my body, how it is,” Chemutai said after the win in Hengelo.

The 25-year-old’s goal is big. Chemutai wants to conquer the Tokyo World Athletics Championships come September in Japan. For all her years as an elite runner, she has stated her intent for the season clearly as this time around.

“I need to work hard for the World Championships. I need that medal. I have (the one) for the Olympics but I need (the one) for the World Championships,” she said.

Chemutai won the Olympic title at the Tokyo 2020 Games in 2021 but she was undone in the final stretch, losing her title to Bahraini Winfred Yavi Mutile at the Paris Olympics in France last August.

On Friday, Chemutai returns to the French capital for the first time since picking that silver medal. And the goal is to get a position better when she lines-up in a field of 15 ladies for the race over the barriers.

 “I’m seeing and showing the body still has it - the shape is coming slowly. I think I can do even better. I have a lot more to give, to push (in next competitions),” added Chemutai.

The race commentary notes will be littered on the battle between Chemutai and Kenyan Faith Cherotich, who pocketed the Olympic bronze medal in Paris last summer.

Cherotich has begun the season in top shape, winning the DL legs in Doha and at the Bislett Games in Oslo, Norway on June 12. In Oslo, she won in a fast 9:02.60, the second quickest time of the year.

“Podium and trying to beat Faith but that will not be easy,” Chemutai’s coach Addy Ruiter said of the target. The pair has met 13 times over the distance but Cherotich, 20, has won nine times with Chemutai finishing ahead on four occasions.

Their duel could be a threat for the world lead time of 8:58.15 set by University of Alabama’s Kenyan Doris Lemngole as she won the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships title at the Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon - USA on June 14.

Cherotich and Chemutai too may also attempt to beat the Meeting Record which stands at 8:52.78 set by Bahrain’s Ruth Jebet on August 27, 2016.

UGANDAN IN ACTION - FRIDAY

PARIS DIAMOND LEAGUE

10:23pm: Peruth Chemutai (Women’s 3000 Metres Steeplechase)

WOMEN’S 3000M STEEPLECHASE IN 2025

FASTEST TIMES

8:58.15 by Doris Lemngole (KEN) on Jun 14

9:02.60 by Faith Cherotich (KEN) on Jun 12

9:02.76 by Winfred Yavi Mutile (BRN) on Jun 12

9:06.84 by Marwa Bouzayani (TUN) on Jun 12

9:07.79 by Peruth Chemutai (UGA) on Jun 9

CHEMUTAI AT A GLANCE 

Date of Birth: Jul 10, 1999

Age: 25

Main Event: Women’s 3000m steeplechase

Personal Best: 8:48.03

Coach: Addy Ruiter

International Manager: Youri Verbaas

Local Manager: Timothy Masaba

Major Honours: Tokyo 2020 Olympics Gold, 2024 African Games Silver, Paris 2024 Olympics Silver