Winfred Yavi breaks personal record in 5,000 metres

Hussain Almaskati

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s elite athlete, Winfred Yavi, secured an impressive second place, setting a new personal best in the women’s 5,000 meters at the Meeting International d’Athletisme de la Province de Liege in Belgium.

Yavi, the reigning world champion in the 3,000m steeplechase, participated in this race as part of her preparation for the upcoming Paris Olympic Games 2024. At just 24, she is one of Bahrain’s top medal prospects for the event. Competing in her second outdoor race of the season, Yavi delivered a remarkable performance.

In the final laps, she was locked in a fierce battle with Ethiopia’s Marta Alemayo Welteji. Although Yavi led at the bell, Welteji’s final surge secured her the win with a time of 14:39.61. Yavi finished closely behind in 14:41.99, smashing her previous personal best of 15:15.93, set in 2019.

Strong Competition

The race saw a competitive field, with Samiya Hassan Nour of Djibouti finishing third at 14:49.00. Australia’s Isobel BattDoyle (14:49.75) and Ethiopia’s Gete Alemayehu (14:57.17) also broke the 15-minute mark, rounding out the top five. Bahrain had additional representatives in the race.

Edao Rebitu Bontu finished ninth with a time of 15:15.14, while Tigist Getent Mekonen came in 14th at 15:50.86. The Liege meeting was a bronze-level event on the World Athletics Continental Tour, providing a competitive platform for athletes like Yavi to fine-tune their performance ahead of major competitions. Yavi is eyeing her first Olympic medal following a spectacular 2023 season.

Her accolades include a world championship gold in the steeplechase, double gold at the Asian Games, her first Diamond League title, and setting a world-leading steeplechase time of 8:50.66, which also stands as both an Asian and Bahrain record.