World Champion Soufiane El Bakkali Dedicates Victory to King Mohammed VI

Rabat – Moroccan athlete Soufiane El Bakkali has dedicated his second consecutive title at the 3,000 meters steeplechase final to King Mohammed VI.

“I’m very happy to have won this world title, my second in a row. I dedicate this gold medal, which coincides with the Moroccan people’s celebration of Youth Day, to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God preserve him,” El Bakkali told Arryadia after his victory.

“I also dedicate this achievement to my parents and the Moroccan people, who never stop encouraging me,” he added.

El Bakkali, the reigning Olympic champion, clocked 8 minutes 03 seconds 53 milliseconds, ahead of the Ethiopian athlete Lamecha Girma who recorded 08 minutes 05 seconds 44 milliseconds. In third place came Kenya’s Abraham Kibiwot with 8 minutes 11 seconds 98 milliseconds.

Describing the ambience prior to and during the race, El Bakkali said: “Four or five hours before the race, I was under enormous pressure but I was confident in my abilities.”

While pointing out that Lamecha was a great rival, he added: “I was able to win this race thanks to my trainer’s instructions, who was keen to remind me of my previous performances, even though I was up against an athlete who holds the world record for the event.”

The race was highly tactical as “Lamecha tried to raise the pace in the last three laps, but I responded mentally and physically to win without a hitch,” enthused the Moroccan champion.

El Bakkali stated that his supreme objective is the world title at the end of the season. “I’m due to compete in two upcoming Diamond League meetings in China and the USA,” the Moroccan athlete said.

“Next year, I’ll be focusing on beating the world record in the 3,000 meters steeplechase, before aiming for the Olympic title at the Paris 2024 Olympics,” he concluded.