How much Kenyan-born Winfred Yavi will receive from Bahrain after steeplechase victory

ATHLETICS How much Kenyan-born Winfred Yavi will receive from Bahrain after steeplechase victory

Abigael Wafula 08:09 - 29.08.2023

Yavi impressed at the National Athletics Center to win the race in 8:54.29.

Kenyan-born Bahrainian Winfred Yavi warmed the hearts of many at the National Athletics Centre in Budapest, Hungary after running a tactical race to carry the day at the World Championships which concluded on Sunday 27 August.

Yavi, competing in the 3000m steeplechase, stunned the Kenyan trio of world record holder Beatrice Chepkoech, World Under-20 champion Faith Cherotich and Commonwealth Games champion Jackline Chepkoech to win the hotly contested race.

She clocked a world-leading time of 8:54.29 to cut the tape ahead of the Kenyan duo of Chepkoech and Cherotich who finished second and third respectively. Jackline faded to finish a disappointing ninth in the race.

Due to her dominant exploits, Yavi walked away with Ksh10 million from World Athletics. On top of the World Athletics prize money, she will receive Ksh 53 million from the Bahrainian Government for her effort.

The hefty prize money could be one of the reasons why Kenyan athletes are bound to switch allegiance since their efforts are highly appreciated.

The 23-year-old trains and lives in Kenya but when it is competition time, she represents Bahrain. She is now the second Kenyan-born Bahrainian to win gold for the Middle East country after Ruth Jebet who won the Olympic title in 2016. Yavi is now the first Bahraini to win the world title.