TOKYO2025: Serem, Kibiwott through to steeplechase final
Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 13.09.25. | 13:25
Kenya last lifted the world title in 2019, Conseslus Kipruto and Abraham Kibiwott settling for bronze in 2022 and 2023 respectively
World U20 steeplechase champion Edmund Serem will be joined by 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medalist Abraham Kibiwott in the final of the men’s 3000m steeplechase as Kenya looks to reclaim its title, last won by Conseslus Kipruto in 2019.
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The third representative, 2023 African Games bronze medalist Simon Kiprop Koech finished seventh in heat three, shortening his stay in Tokyo, as he misses out on Monday, 15 September's final.
The country is looking to wrestle the title from Morocco's Soufiane El Bakkali, who has won the last two.
His victory in Eugene brought to a stop a seven-championship winning streak for Kenyans. Ezekiel Kemboi dominated in that period with four back-to-back titles. Kipruto was the back-to-back champion before the Moroccan won in Eugene.
Serem, first on the track, executed a calculated race, staying at the back of the pack for the initial laps of the race in a heat that had Getnet Wale and home runner Ryuji Miura.
With three laps to go, the Kenyan drifted ahead to fifth place, slotting himself to fourth with two laps to go, as he was forced to take the outside lane soon after to avoid the crowded front.
He left his finish late, accelerating in the final 50m to reel in the leading trio for an 8:29.97 performance, finishing ahead of Wale (8:30.14) and Miura (8:30.43).
“I have been fit all season. The Diamond League has prepared me well, as I have finished on the podium in all races I have participated in. I am ready for the final,” Serem, who unleashed the Viktor Gyökeres celebration at the finish line, said after his heat.
In the second heat, the experienced Kibiwott remained tucked in the middle of the pack for the better part of the race. With Morocco’s Salaheddine Ben Yazide upping the pace with two laps to go, the Kenyan responded to remain in the leading pack. He held his own, despite hitting the final hurdle, for an 8:27.84 fifth-place finish to qualify.
Koech, meanwhile, left his final kick late, clocking 8:31.80 to miss out.
