Winfred Mutile Yavi is a renowned Kenyan-born Bahraini runner who specializes in the 3000 m steeplechase event. She is currently the Olympics record holder and 2024 Paris Olympics gold medalist in the event.
At the Rome Diamond League in August 2024, she clocked 8:44.39, missing the World record by just 0.07 seconds. Consequently, Yavi became the events second fastest athlete in the world and Africa’s record holder. She is among the world’s greatest talents in 3000 m steeplechase. Yavi also competes in 1500 m and 5000 m races.
Winfred has won numerous medals including gold at both the 2023 World Athletics Championships and the 2022 Asian Games. She is as well the 2023 Diamond League winner. Furthermore, 2019 alone, Yavi won a total of seven medals including five gold, one silver and one bronze across three events in three different competitions.
Age and Birthday
Born in December 31, 1999 in Ukia, Makueni County in Kenya, Yavi is 24 years at 2024.
Height
The celebrated athlete measures 159 cm (5 feet 3 inches).
Winfred Yavi Family
The steeplechase star’s parents are Mr. and Mrs. Yavi. Currently not much information regarding her family is available. However, we are keeping in tabs and will update you soon.
Winfred Yavi Career
Early life
Winfred’s talent in athletics was evident from a tender age while growing up on the scopes of Iuani hill in Ukia, Makueni County. Her success story exemplifies that all is achievable through hard work, determination and commitment. Thanks to her coaches at Iuani and Kyanthanze Secondary Schools who through their guidance Yavi developed to be the global star she is today. Moreover, Makueni Country Talent Centre played a key role in shaping Yavi’s athletics career.
Switch to Bahrain
Yavi switched her Kenyan allegiance to Bahraini in 2014 following a litany of unsuccessful attempts to secure a spot in the Kenya team. She has since represented the Arab nation in numerous competitions.
Sequential winner
In August 2018, Yavi bagged her first gold for Bahrain when she won the 3000 m steeplechase at the Asian Games held Jakarta, Indonesia. Furthermore, she two bronze medals for Bahrain in the World U20 Championships in Tampere and the Continental Cup in Ostrava. 2019 is arguably her best year, winning a total of seven medals; five gold, one silver and one bronze across three competitions.
At the 2021 Islamic Solidarity Games held in Konya, Turkey the gifted runner clinched gold in both 3000 m steeplechase and 1500 m. Yavi iterated the same at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. In 2023, she won gold at the World Championships and the Diamond League in her speciality.
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Winfred took gold in 3000m steeplechase setting a new Olympic record of 8:52.76. Additionally, on August 30, at the Rome Diamond League the steeplechase sensation stopped the clock at 8:44.39. She consequently become the second fastest in the event history.
Winfred Yavi Achievements and Medals
Achievements
- Highest world ranking: First 3000 m steeplechase (2024)
- Personal bests: 3000 m steeplechase: 8:44.39 (Rome 2024)
Medals
- Olympic Games: Gold 3000 m steeplechase (2024 Paris)
- World Championships: 3000 m steeplechase (2023 Budapest)
- Diamond League: Winner 3000 m steeplechase (2023)
- Asian Games: 3X Gold 3000 m steeplechase (2018 Jakarta), 3000 m steeplechase (2022 Hangzhou) and 1500 m (2022 Hangzhou)
- Islamic Solidarity Games: 2X Gold 3000 m steeplechase and 1500 m (2021 Konya)
- Asian Championships: 2X Gold 3000m steeplechase and 5000 m, Bronze 1500 m (2019 Doha)
- Military World Games: Gold 3000 m steeplechase and Silver 5000 m (2019 Wuhan)
- Arab Championships: 2X Gold 3000 m steeplechase and 5000 m (2019 Cairo)
- Continental Cup: Bronze 3000 m steeplechase (2018 Ostrava)
- World U20 Championships: Bronze 3000 m steeplechase (2018 Tampere)
Winfred Yavi Net Worth
The Kenyan-born athletics phenom has an estimated net worth of between $1 to $5 million at 2024.