Soufiane El Bakkali reaffirmed his position at the summit of steeplechase running with a spirited victory at the Rabat Diamond League on Sunday night, clocking a world-leading 8:00.70 in the men’s 3000m steeplechase.
The Moroccan star delighted an electric home crowd inside the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, maintaining his proud tradition of delivering on home soil.
With Morocco’s monarch King Mohamed VI often a presence in the stands and the weight of national expectation on his shoulders, El Bakkali found the perfect response to recent setbacks. The Rabat triumph marks a third successive home win for the Olympic champion, stretching back to 2022, a venue that continues to be a lucky charm in his glittering career.
Germany’s Fredrik Ruppert pushed El Bakkali all the way, finishing a close second in a national record time of 8:01.49, while Kenya’s rising talent Edmond Serem clocked a personal best of 8:07.47 to secure third place in a high-quality contest.
A Comeback Statement
For the first time in years, El Bakkali came into Rabat without an aura of invincibility. After seeing his three-year win streak snapped at the 2024 Diamond League Final and suffering another defeat in this season’s Xiamen opener to Ethiopia’s Samuel Firewu, whispers about his form and fitness had started to grow louder — particularly following his withdrawal from the Keqiao meet.
But on Sunday night, in front of a raucous Moroccan crowd, El Bakkali silenced the doubters.
“I am extremely happy to celebrate this victory in my country and in front of my fellow Moroccans. Their support today was outstanding. Achieving the World Lead makes the moment even more special. I dedicate this victory first and foremost to His Majesty our King Mohamed VI, who is always supporting us, to my family, my coaching staff and to all Moroccans.”
He also lauded the venue’s growing status on the global athletics calendar.
“This incredible stadium is world-class and reflects the progress Morocco is making in hosting big events.
A Stage for Drama
The Rabat Diamond League has become synonymous with dramatic steeplechase showdowns in recent years. In 2022, El Bakkali edged out Ethiopia’s Lamecha Girma in a historic race where both men dipped under 8:00, a feat unseen in over a decade. A year later, he produced a personal best and the fastest time in 11 years at 7:56.68, defeating a world-class field despite nursing a knee issue.
This year’s edition arguably presented his toughest test yet. Rising names like Samuel Firewu, Keqiao winner Abrham Sime, Olympic bronze medalist Abraham Kibiwot, and Kenya’s World U20 champion Edmond Serem were all in contention, signaling a fierce season ahead. Yet, when it mattered most, El Bakkali’s champion instincts prevailed.
Eyes on Tokyo
While the win in Rabat reasserts his dominance, El Bakkali acknowledges the season is far from over. Questions still linger over his consistency across a long, grueling campaign, especially with stiff competition emerging from Ethiopia and Kenya. However, if history is anything to go by, the Moroccan maestro knows how to peak when it counts.
As the road now leads to the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, Soufiane El Bakkali is chasing more than just another medal.
“My future objective is achieving more victories in the upcoming Diamond League meetings and to diligently prepare for the World Championships in September in Tokyo, where my ultimate goal is to win the gold medal.”
Will Tokyo be the stage for El Bakkali’s ultimate crowning moment? The chase is officially on.
