)
Cherotich was involved in a greasly road accident back in 2023, just four weeks before the national trials for the World Athletics Championships in Budapest.
Faith Cherotich has opened up about the life-threatening road accident that nearly derailed her career in 2023.
The incident, which occurred on May 29, just four weeks before the national trials for the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, marked a pivotal moment in her journey.
Cherotich was en route to Eldoret International Airport with her coach Benard Rono, heading to Rome for a Diamond League meeting, when their vehicle collided head-on with a Toyota Prado while attempting to avoid a trailer that had lost its brakes on the Nakuru-Eldoret Highway.
)
05:30 - 07.01.2025
Why Olympic medallist Faith Cherotich found World Championships more daunting than Paris Olympics
The World Championship and Olympics medallist has opened up on the daunting task of balancing education and athletics.
"On the material day, I remember it was on May 29. We were heading to Eldoret Airport for a flight to Rome. A trailer lost its brakes, and to avoid a head-on collision, we swerved. Unfortunately, we collided with another car. My coach was seated behind, I was in front with the driver. The next minute, we found ourselves in the hospital; we thank God we came out alive," Cherotich recounted to The Standard.
Her coach, Rono, reflected on the harrowing ordeal: "We could not travel because we found ourselves in the hospital. We are grateful Faith was not injured, but she lost consciousness. It’s the reason you see she doesn’t have some teeth; she lost them in the accident. It took us more than two weeks to recover,” he said on a separate interview on NTV.
Despite the physical and emotional toll, Cherotich resumed training just two weeks after the accident and participated in the trials four weeks later. Battling lingering pain, she showcased her determination by finishing third, securing her spot in the Kenyan team for the Budapest World Championships.
)
06:00 - 08.10.2024
5 African youngsters who lit up track and field in 2024
A number of young African athletes enjoyed a remarkable 2024 track and field season, showcasing the continent’s best talents but who impressed the most?
“In some bit of pain—but not that much—I was fortunate to make the team after finishing third at the trials,” Cherotich revealed.
Cherotich’s 2023 season had already started on a strong note. She opened with a third-place finish at the Doha Diamond League on May 5, clocking 9:06.43 in the 3000m steeplechase, just 0.29 seconds shy of her personal best. A week later, she finished second at the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi.
At the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Cherotich made a spectacular senior international debut. She won her heat and clinched bronze in the final with a personal best of 9:00.69. Bahrain’s Winfred Yavi took gold, while Kenyan compatriot and world record-holder Beatrice Chepkoech earned silver.
Cherotich carried her momentum into 2024, a breakthrough year that saw her claim her first Diamond League title and debut at the Paris Olympics. In Brussels, she clocked 9:02.36 to win the women's steeplechase, marking her first Diamond League victory.
)
09:57 - 05.01.2025
How Faith Kipyegon inspired steeplechaser Faith Cherotich to Olympics glory
Faith Cherotich is loking to follow in the footsteps of hero faith Kipygon after securing a bronze medal at the Paris Olympic Games.
At the Olympics, Cherotich secured another bronze, this time in a remarkable 8:55.15, her new personal best. Before ending her season by becoming the Diamond League champion at the Brussels Diamond League last September.
Cherotich’s rise began in 2021 when she won bronze at the World Under-20 Championships in Nairobi. She followed it up with a gold medal at the 2022 edition in Cali, Colombia, signaling her readiness for the senior stage.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)