Bahrain’s newest world champion feels added motivation after clinching maiden gold medal at athletics worlds

TDT | Manama    

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s Winfred Yavi described her gold-medal winning performance in the women’s 3,000 metres steeplechase final late Sunday night as “perfect”, as she made history at the World Athletics Championships 2023 in Budapest.

The 23-year-old captured her maiden world title in spectacular fashion, topping a star-studded 15-runner field that included world record-holder Beatrice Chepkoech of Kenya.

Winfred overcame Chepkoech’s challenge in the ultra-quick race and won in a time of eight minutes 54.29 seconds, which was the fastest time of the year, the fourth-fastest all time, and also a new personal best.

“It was a fast race but I did not realise it was that fast,” said Winfred. “I knew I would have the power on the last lap.

It was perfect.” With her victory, Winfred came away with Bahrain’s only medal at this year’s athletics worlds, and the Kingdom’s eighth gold medal in the history of the prestigious meeting.

Her triumph also erased any disappointments she had from the past two editions of the global meeting in 2019 and last year, when she narrowly missed out on a podium place by finishing fourth both times.

Winfred will now be looking to build on her first world title success and continue to secure even more accolades. “I have never felt like this before,” she said.

“I worked hard and I am grateful for this amazing achievement. “After finishing fourth at the past two World Championships, the gold medal gives me additional motivation to train hard.” Winfred is expected to banner Bahrain’s national athletics team at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, starting next month.

She had already won steeplechase gold at the 2018 Asiad, along with multiple titles at the Asian and Arab level as well as the Military World Games.

The only other major medal Winfred has yet to secure is an Olympic gold, but she will certainly set her sights on Paris Olympic Games glory in 2024.

Winfred has joined a stellar list of Bahraini world champions with her triumph at the Hungarian capital.

The others include Rashid Ramzi, who captured a fantastic gold medal double (men’s 800m and 1,500m) in 2005, Maryam Yusuf Jamal (women’s 1,500m) in 2007, Maryam (women’s 1,500m) again and Yusuf Saad Kamel (men’s 1,500m) in 2009, Rose Chelimo (women’s marathon) in 2017 and Salwa Eid Naser (women’s 400m) in 2019.