Olympic bronze medallist Abraham Kibiwot is confident Kenya will regain its dominance in the 3,000m steeplechase at next year’s World Championships despite Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali’s stranglehold on the event.
El Bakkali has been the man to beat since his triumphant run at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where he claimed the title in 8:08.90, outpacing Ethiopia’s Lamecha Girma (8:10.38) and Kenya’s Benjamin Kigen (8:11.45).
The Moroccan further stamped his authority at the World Championships, claiming the 2022 title in Eugene, Oregon in 8:25.13, ahead of Girma (8:26.01) and Kenya’s Conseslus Kipruto (8:27.92).
Last year in Budapest, El Bakkali continued his reign, clocking 8:03.53 to secure the world title once again. Girma (8:05.44 and Kibiwot (8:11.98) followed in that order.
Last Wednesday, El Bakkali defended his Olympic title at the Stade de France in Paris, France, clocking 8:06.05 ahead of USA’s Kenneth Rooks (8:06.41) and Kibiwot (8:06.47).
Despite El Bakkali's dominance, Kibiwot is optimistic about the country reviving its lost glory in the seven-and-a-half lap water and barrier race at the Tokyo Championships set for September 13-21.
“By next year, we will have regained our superiority in the steeplechase. With the right preparations, we can achieve a lot,” he stated.
Acknowledging the tough task that awaits the nation, Kibiwot stated; “We have been loosening our grip on the event. It will be hard, but I am sure next year we can do something even better.”
Kibiwot will be buoyed by the bronze medal he clinched at the Paris Olympics in the quest to defeat the Moroccan in Tokyo.
Reflecting on his Paris performance, Kibiwot highlighted that despite not attaining their target of clinching gold, the Kenyan trio was satisfied with Kibiwot’s bronze.
“We had a plan of clinching gold in Paris but we were not able to. However, We are grateful that we won a bronze medal,” Kibiwot said.
Kibiwot was in the company of Koech, who placed seventh (8:09.26), and Amos Serem, who placed 14th (8:19.74).
