Rabat – Moroccan athlete Soufiane El Bakkali qualified on Sunday for the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase final at the 2017 World Championships, taking place in London from August 4 to 13.
El Bakkali booked his place in Tuesday’s final after he won the first spot in 8:22:60. The second-placed runner was Mahiedine Mekhissi from France ( 8:22:83), while Ethiopian Getnet Wale (8:23:00) earned the third place.
El Bakkali is the world third fastest runner in 2017 behind American Olympic silver medalist, Evan Jager and Kenyan middle distance runner, Conseslus Kipruto respectively, according to a report issued by IAAF.
El Bakkali’s team-mates, Hicham Seguini and Mohamed Tindouft did not manage to make it to the final round of the 3000-meter, scheduled for August 8.
Moroccan athletes, Malika Akkaoui and Rabab Arafi have also booked their spots for the women’s 1500m final. Akkaoui secured her place after finishing fifth (4:05:73), while Arafi was seventh (4:05:75).
