Ethiopia’s Abrham Sime continued his scintillating 2025 campaign with a commanding victory in the men’s 3000m steeplechase at the Shanghai Diamond League on Saturday.
Sime, who has been in imperious form this season, clocked 8:07.92 to outclass a strong Kenyan duo of Edmund Serem (8:08.68) and Simon Kipruto (8:09.05), who settled for silver and bronze, respectively. The 24-year-old displayed tactical mastery, dictating the pace from the early stages before unleashing a decisive surge in the final laps to seal the win.
This victory follows Sime’s blistering 8:02.36 personal best at the Meeting de Paris earlier this year, where he held off a late charge from Kenya’s Amos Serem. His Shanghai triumph reinforces his growing reputation as one of the most consistent steeplechasers on the circuit.
“Yes, I expected to win today,” Sime said post-race.
“Last week in Xiamen, I made a mistake, but I raced well on this fast track. I’m happy with the performance.”
With the 2025 World Athletics Championships on the horizon, Sime has set his sights on the ultimate prize.
“My goal this year is to be world champion, and I believe I can do it,” he declared.
After narrowly missing the podium in major competitions last season, Sime has refined his race strategy and endurance, making him a formidable contender against reigning Olympic champion Soufiane El Bakkali and Kenya’s steeplechase elite.
Sime’s success adds to Ethiopia’s growing steeplechase prowess. Just a week earlier, his compatriot Samuel Firewu stunned the field at the Xiamen Diamond League, dethroning El Bakkali with a world-leading 8:05.61—a meeting record. With Firewu and Sime leading the charge, Ethiopia could challenge Kenya’s long-standing dominance in the event.
