Casablanca — Soufiane El Bakkali has closed the book on his 2026 outdoor season with a message of satisfaction despite falling short of the Diamond League title, reflecting on a campaign that tested both his ambitions and his physical limits.
The 30-year-old Moroccan built his season around the Wanda Diamond League, competing five times in the 3,000m steeplechase and producing three victories and two runner-up finishes.
His campaign began in spectacular fashion at the Mohammed VI International Athletics Meeting in Rabat on May 31. Racing in front of a home crowd, El Bakkali clocked 7:57.25 to establish the fastest time in the world this year and become the first athlete to break the eight-minute barrier in 2026.
He followed that performance with victories in Stockholm and Doha before returning to competition in August. His run of wins came to an end at the Silesia meeting on August 23, where Ethiopia’s Gemechu Godana edged him out in the closing stages.
El Bakkali again finished second in the Diamond League final in Brussels on September 5, with Godana claiming the Diamond Trophy after crossing the line in 8:08.67. The Moroccan finished in 8:10.03, while Kenya’s Simon Koech took third.
Looking back on the season, El Bakkali described it as a positive one overall, while highlighting the special significance of his opening race in Rabat.
“Thank God, I have reached the end of the season. Overall, it was a good season for me. I got off to a more than fantastic start at the Rabat meeting, in front of a home crowd that created an unforgettable moment,” he wrote.
The Olympic and world champion acknowledged that the second half of the campaign was more complicated, with fatigue beginning to affect his physical condition.
“After that, I continued the rest of the races in good form, but things did not always go the way I wanted because I started feeling some fatigue and did not feel fully ready,” El Bakkali said.
He summed up the challenge with a simple reflection: “The mind wants it, but the body has its say.”
Despite those difficulties, El Bakkali said he approached the Diamond League final as a new challenge and gave everything he had until the finish.
“Despite that, I entered the Diamond League final looking for a new challenge and gave everything I had until the end. It was not the result I hoped for, but I am satisfied with everything I gave this season,” he wrote.
The Moroccan star also thanked those who supported him throughout the campaign, including his team, before looking ahead to what comes next.
“Now we rest… then we come back stronger. The story continues,” El Bakkali concluded, signing off with his familiar message: “Dima Maghrib.”
