In African societies, the lastborn is usually a pampered being. The parents and elder siblings take the bullet on behalf of them.
But Olympics and world 3,000 metres steeplechase bronze medalist, Faith Cherotich is lastborn of a kind. Nicknamed ‘Last Born’ by her team-mates, Cherotich has become accustomed to carrying the hopes of more than 53 million Kenyans on her shoulders and the deft motion of her nimble legs at global athletics events.
Cherotich, who turned 21 on July 13 this year, acquired the moniker two years ago. She was the youngest member in Team Kenya for the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary. They called her ‘Last Born’.
At the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, she claimed bronze in women’s 3,000m steeplechase, becoming the youngest medalist at the quadrennial championship.
"Being a role model to many young girls globally really motivates me to continue performing well as I aim higher."
Although young and relatively inexperienced on the global stage, Cherotich has upstaged reigning Olympics and world 3,000m steeplechase champion, Kenyan-born Bahraini Winfred Yavi, and 2020 Olympic steeplechase champion Peruth Chemutai of Uganda.
On June 20, Cherotich set Stade Charléty alight as she beat Chemutai in Paris Diamond League Meeting in season best time of 8 minutes, 54.41 seconds.
Cherotich, who is also the 2022 World Athletics Under-20 Championships gold medallist, believes the best is yet to come. “I have still got more years to run…I have just started.”
At 21, she is a role model to many young girls globally. “That really motivates me to continue performing well as I aim higher. I am just four years into my running career, and the future looks bright.”
-Ayumba Ayodi