Why Kenyan turned Bahraini Winfred Yavi’s win excited Ex-Makueni Governor

• Winfred Yavi, the Bahraini athlete who switched her Kenyan allegiance has impressed former Makueni Governor Prof Kivutha Kibwana
• She won a gold medal in the 3000 m steeplechase at the World Athletics Championship
• Yavi was born in Makueni County

Winfred Yavi, the Bahraini athlete who switched her Kenyan allegiance in 2016 has impressed former Makueni Governor Prof Kivutha Kibwana.

She won a gold medal in the 3000 m steeplechase at the World Athletics Championship in Budapest. Kibwana congratulated her for her splendid performance and for winning her first gold medal.

Yavi was born in Makueni County and her athletics talent was nurtured by sports programs launched Kibwana in his first term in office.

Kibwana was especially happy that Yavi benefited from the Makueni County talent center (Ngakaa). He set it up with the intention to nurture young talents and it paid off.

“I am absolutely thrilled to send out my heartfelt congratulations to the Kenyan-born Bahraini athlete, Winfred Mutile Yavi. It’s awe-inspiring to know that Yavi’s journey in sports was nurtured and honed at the Makueni County Talent Center (Ngakaa), an initiative that I, along with the community, had the privilege to launch during my tenure as the governor of Makueni County,” he wrote on his socials.

Prof Kivutha Kibwana. Photo/The Star

He fondly recalled her schooling days at Luani Secondary School and Kwathanze Secondary School respectively both in Makueni County.

She always put in the time and it finally paid off years later albeit in Bahrain

“Her educational path led her through Luani Secondary School in Makueni and Kwanthanze Secondary School in Machakos, shaping her into the remarkable athlete she is today. Yavi’s success truly exemplifies the power of dedication, hard work, and the support of a community. Here’s to celebrating her outstanding achievement on the global stage!” added Kibwana.

Yavi outran world record holder Beatrice Chepkoech over the final 400 meters after trailing her for all but one circuit of the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase.

The 23-year-old won the race by finishing in the fourth-fastest time ever; 8 minutes, 54.29 seconds), while Chepkoech, 32, took second place with 8 minutes, 58.98 seconds.

She was so excited that she posted the fourth fastest time in history.

Bahraini Winfred Yavi. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier

“Oh my God, I just found out this is the fourth fastest in history, I am really excited about that. It was a fast race but I did not realise it was that fast,” she said in a post-race interview.

The 23-year-old won the race by finishing in the fourth-fastest time ever; 8 minutes, 54.29 seconds), while Chepkoech, 32, took second place with 8 minutes, 58.98 seconds.

She was so excited that she posted the fourth fastest time in history.

“Oh my God, I just found out this is the fourth fastest in history, I am really excited about that. It was a fast race but I did not realise it was that fast,” she said in a post-race interview.

Winning in Budapest 2023 boosted her motivation in a great way and she intends to win several other gold medals moving forward.