How El Bakkali Battled to Clinch His Second World Championship Gold

On a warm night in Budapest, Romania, Moroccan steeplechaser Soufiane El Bakkali and Ethiopian steeplechaser Lamecha Girma stepped onto the track to see who could claim the title of best steeplechaser in the world. El Bakkali had won the 2022 World Championship gold medal as well as the 2020 Olympic gold medal, beating Girma in both those races.

However, Girma carved his name in the annals of steeplechase this past June by setting a world record in the event. His time of 7:52:11 is over 4 seconds faster than El Bakkali’s personal best.

Also vying for the title was a powerhouse trio of Kenyans, including Simon Kiprop Koech, the Monaco Diamond League steeplechase winner, Abraham Kibiwot, the 2022 Commonwealth Games steeplechase gold medalist, and Leonard Bett, the 2019 African Championships U20 gold medalist.

The race began slowly with El Bakkali running towards the back of the pack and Girma running on the rail in the middle. At 1000 meters, Bett took control of the lead, pulling El Bakkali and Girma to the front.

The steeplechase is a punishing affair. Runners have to race with incredible speed while having the power to clear 28 barriers and 7 water jumps throughout the 3000-meter distance.

While there’s grace to the way the competitors float over the barriers, it’s not ballet. The demanding effort can be seen in El Bakkali twisting himself to the right as he cleared the barriers and Girma stuttering on occasion to get the timing right before jumping. Both men are tall and their heads literally rose above the other runners, particularly the Kenyans, who after 5 minutes of racing surrounded El Bakkali and Girma.

Girma’s strength is to run hard from as far out as possible, while El Bakkali has a stunning kick that he used to win both his previous World Championship and his Olympic gold medal.

At 2000 meters, Girma took the lead from Bett. El Bakkali cleared the water jump and then tucked in behind Girma, leaving the three Kenyans lined up single file behind the two favorites. With less than 1000 meters remaining, the question remained whether Girma had given himself enough distance to press the pace and take the sting out of El Bakkali’s kick.

On the penultimate lap, Girma’s drive to the line proved too much for Bett and Koech and they drifted off the back of the lead group, leaving compatriot Kibiwot as the sole chance to win an upset gold medal.

The bell sounded for the final lap and Girma raced wide-eyed off the front with El Bakkali proving himself unshakable in second position. Girma rose over the next barrier with El Bakkali only a few meters back. Behind them, Kibiwot would fall to the track after catching his left knee on the top of the barrier. He picked himself up and continued to race, but Girma and El Bakkali were now flying around the turn. It was a two-man steeplechase showcase. Strain appeared on both racers’ faces as Girma desperately tried to distance himself from El Bakkali.

In response, El Bakkali grimaced on the backstretch before wielding his kick like a sword. The Moroccan swung wide and launched himself up and over the water barrier into first place. With every stride around the final turn, El Bakkali opened distance on his rival. He put his head down and sprinted for the line, winning in a time of 8:03:53. Girma finished second and Kibiwot was able to hold on for third.

After the finish, El Bakkali knelt to the track and when he stood tears of joy filled his eyes. Moments later, El Bakkali, a smile bursting from his face, waved and cheered to the crowd. With a Moroccan flag over one shoulder and his gold medal in the other, El Bakkali turned to the television camera; as he held up fingers, he shouted, “One. Two medals in Budapest. What’s next?”