Bakkali wins gold as Kipruto settles for bronze in steeplechase

Moroccan Soufiane El Bakkali has once again broken Kenya’s grip in the men’s 3000 metres steeplechase after winning gold at the World Athletics championships in Oregon.

The 26-year-old Bakkali, fourth in the 2016 Olympics and bronze medallist in the 2019 world championships, finished in a time of 8:25.13.

Lamecha Girma of Ethiopia claimed silver, clocking 8:26.01 and Conseslus Kipruto of Kenya took the bronze in 8:27.92.

Conseslus Kipruto of Kenya, the 2019 champion had to battle on his own as the other Kenyan duo of Abraham Kibiwott and Leonard Bett struggles at the Hayward Field. 

Kipruto who failed to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics games just came back to full fitness a few months ago an injury plagued two years and off-pitch issues that almost ruined his blistering career.

A comeback was witnessed at the Kip Keino Classic in May where he finished fourth and at the National Trials at Kasarani, he jogged home in fourth perhaps sending a message to the rest of the world that he was getting back to his best. 

 For Bakkali, it was all about patience as he ran in the middle of the pack for most parts of the race.

The Moroccan who has been in electric form had one mission, to end Kenya’s dominance at the world stage, and he did just that by replicating what he did in Tokyo in 2021.

For Kenya, the future looks bleak in the men’s steeplechase and as it seems, Kipruto will have to shoulder Kenya’s hopes at least for a few more years.