Kenyan-born Winfred Yavi Mutile of Bahrain is set to earn well following her victory in the 3000m women’s steeplechase final at the Paris Olympics, where she also set a new Olympic record.
Sources close to the matter state that she will receive up to Sh. 59.5 million ($470,000) after storming to the crossing line with an impressive time of 8 minutes 52.76 seconds.
At the run end after the final water jump, she fiercely put on a final sprint to overtake Uganda’s Peruth Chemutai who was the country’s defending champion, who got the silver medal.
Mutile Yavi’s victory was an addition to her already impressive resume which includes last year’s World Championship. She shocked the athletics world and the fans after flooring World Record holder Beatrice Chepkoeh in the 3000-metre steeplechase final.
In the roundup to the final 150m, Yavi shot past Beatrice Chepkoech, never to look back again. She won Bahrain its first gold in the competition, with a world-leading time of 8:54:29.
Yavi Mutile received heaps of praise for running a tactically paced race with patience being her key virtue on the track.
The 24-year-old patiently trailed behind Beatrice Chepkoech until the last 150 meters, when she pulled out a powerful kick, that even Kenya couldn’t respond to.
“I knew I had the power to kick on the last lap. It was perfect timing for me. I have never felt like this before. After finishing 4th in the past two world championships, the gold medal gives me additional motivation to work hard,” Yavi explained.
Due to her brilliant track performance, Yavi Mutile left the Budapest World Championships with a prize of Sh. 10 million.
Allegedly, she also received an additional bonus of Sh. 53 million from the Bahraini Government. She is now leaving the Paris Olympics Sh. 59.5 million richer.
The World Athletics awards each Olympic gold medallist Sh. 6.45 million ($50,000) though a huge chunk of her pay will come from the Bahrainian government, at approximately Sh. 54.05 million ($419,000).
Kenya’s race favourite Beatrice Chepkoech finished in 2nd place with 8:58:98, while teenager Faith Cherotich claimed bronze at 9:00:69 to complete the podium.
Faith Kipyegon wins 5,000 metres Gold at World Athletics Championship
Yavi Mutile who hails from Ukia, Makueni County switched allegiance to Bahrain at the age of 15.
Speculations have emerged suggesting that one of the reasons Kenyan athletes consider switching allegiance is a perception that their efforts are not fully appreciated.
“I didn’t get the chance to represent my country. I used to go for the Kenya team trials but I didn’t qualify but I got Bahrain as my first priority,” she said when asked why she switched allegiance.
However, Mutile Yavi lives and trains in Kenya despite representing Bahrain. She has set her mark in the history of Bahrain athletics by becoming the second Kenyan-born Bahrainian to win gold.
This is after Ruth Jebet, another Kenyan, won Bahrain the Olympic title in 2016. Yavi is the first Bahraini to hold a World Championship title.
“I had an occasion to sit with Yavi Mutile and her parents in Wote last year. Her victory in Paris is a product of sheer hard work and discipline. Her parents have played a big role in her career,” said Mutula Kilonzo Jr, the Governor of Makueni County.
“We, the people of Makueni are proud to have produced an Olympic champion. It is also a reminder to the country to be deliberate on matters sports.”
