Paris, France — Uganda’s Olympic champion Peruth Chemutai delivered a spectacular performance at the Wanda Diamond League in Paris on Friday night, clocking a season-best time of 8:54.41 to finish second in a sensational women’s 3000m steeplechase showdown.
Chemutai pushed the pace and launched a determined challenge in the final lap, but it was Kenya’s Faith Cherotich, the Olympic and world bronze medallist, who responded with a powerful kick to win the race in 8:53.37—the fastest time in the world this year. The 20-year-old Kenyan star also moved up to 6th on the all-time list, confirming her place among the sport’s elite.
“What a race!” Uganda Athletics tweeted in praise of Chemutai’s performance, hailing the runner-up finish and personal season milestone. “Congratulations to Peruth Chemutai for an incredible season best… Hats off to Kenya’s Cherotich for a stunning win.”
Ethiopia’s Sembo Almayew, the reigning world U20 champion, secured third place in 9:01.22, rounding off a world-class podium in what was one of the most competitive women’s steeplechase races in recent memory.
The Paris meeting also featured a non-Diamond League men’s 3000m steeplechase, where Ethiopia’s Lamecha Girma made a triumphant return. Racing for the first time since his fall at the Paris Olympics, Girma clocked 8:07.01 to take victory, just over a year after setting the world record of 7:52.11 at the same venue.
Chemutai’s performance marks a strong return to form ahead of the World Athletics Championships and is a clear signal that the Tokyo 2020 gold medallist remains a formidable force on the global stage.