Kenya’s Edmund Serem clinches 3,000m steeplechase bronze in Tokyo
His win adds to the country’s medal tally in the Tokyo competition.
Kenya’s Edmund Serem settled for bronze in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on Monday, as New Zealand’s Geordie Beamish stunned the field to claim his first global title.
Serem clocked 8:34.56 to finish third in a tightly contested race that for most of the final lap looked destined for Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali, the reigning Olympic and two-time world champion, who had surged into a commanding lead.
With just 100 metres to go, El Bakkali appeared certain to extend his dominance. But Beamish unleashed a blistering sprint to snatch victory at the line.
The New Zealander crossed in 8:33.88, just ahead of El Bakkali’s 8:33.95. Serem, only 17, followed closely behind, ensuring Kenya preserved its proud tradition of podium finishes in the steeplechase—one of the nation’s most successful events.
“What a Finish! New Zealand's Geordie Beamish is the 3000m steeplechase world champion After a spike to the face in the heats, he kicks to 8:33.88 in the 3000m steeplechase to edge out Morocco's Soufiane El Bakkali in a dramatic finish," World Athletics said in a statement on X.
The result lifted Kenya’s medal tally in Tokyo to three. While Kenyan runners have historically dominated the steeplechase, winning gold at nearly every Olympics since 1968, Beamish’s triumph marked a rare breakthrough for another nation in the event.
For Beamish, 28, the win was career-defining—his first medal at a major international championship. Known for conserving energy in the early laps before timing his sprint perfectly in the home straight, he once again proved the effectiveness of his patient, late-kick strategy, delivering New Zealand its biggest-ever steeplechase victory.
Serem, meanwhile, will take encouragement from his performance as he emerges among Kenya’s next generation of steeplechase stars.
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