Rabat – Moroccan runner Soufiane El Bakkali expressed his disappointment after winning the silver medal in the men’s 3000m steeplechase final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on Monday.
El Bakkali, who was aiming for his third consecutive world title, said he had hoped to bring home another gold.
Speaking to beIN Sports after the race, El Bakkali said: “I couldn’t win the gold medal, but I want to dedicate this medal to His Majesty King Mohammed VI and thank him for his support. I also dedicate it to the Moroccan people.”
The race was decided in the final moments. New Zealand’s Geordie Beamish crossed the finish line first with a time of 8 minutes and 33.88 seconds. El Bakkali followed just behind in 8:33.95, while Kenya’s Edmund Serem came third in 8:34.56.
El Bakkali admitted that a mistake at the last barrier cost him the gold: “It’s hard for me to accept this loss, but I gave everything I had. I couldn’t clear the last hurdle in the best way, but I am still satisfied with this achievement.”
Despite missing out on another gold medal, the 2020 Olympic champion and two-time world champion continues to be one of Morocco’s greatest athletes, and his new silver adds to the country’s proud history in long-distance running.
El Bakkali has been one of the most dominant athletes in the 3000-meter steeplechase. He is known for his smooth running style and strong finishing kick, which consistently earned him medals on the biggest stages.
He first made his mark in 2017 after he won a silver medal at the World Championships in London. Two years later, in 2019, he added a bronze medal to his already illustrious legacy at the Worlds in Doha.
El Bakkali then reached the peak of his career by becoming world champion in 2022 in Eugene, Oregon, before defending his title in 2023 in Budapest. Those back-to-back world titles confirmed his place among the all-time greats in the event.
In addition, this record makes him the first Moroccan to dominate the steeplechase since the golden era of Said Aouita and Hicham El Guerrouj in middle-distance running.
As he prepares for upcoming championships, El Bakkali will be hoping to wield his strong consistency and dominance in the sport to continue to bring home the glory to Morocco.
