2021 World U20 3,000m steeplechase champion Amos Serem is ready for another match-up against Olympic champion Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco at the 2025 Tokyo World Championships.
With his 8:04.29 finish at the Silesia Diamond League, Serem has met the 8:15.00 qualifying standard for Tokyo.
Kenyans have found it difficult to contain the Moroccan in the past two editions of the championships.
The last triumph came at the Doha 2019 championships where Conseslus Kipruto stormed to victory in 8:01.35 leading Ethiopia’s Lamecha Girma ( 8:01.36 ) and El Bakkali ( 8:03.76 ).
El Bakkali has since then dominated the championships, taking gold in Eugene 2022 ( 8:25.13 ) and Budapest 2023 ( 8:03.53 ).
Serem reckons that after his triumph over the Olympic champion at the Brussels Diamond League finals last month, Kenya can reshape the narrative in Tokyo.
“Beating El Bakkali gave me the confidence that anything is possible. I am more determined than ever going into the 2025 season. I believe we can bring the world title back to Kenya,” Serem declared.
Last month in Brussels, Serem outpaced El Bakkali, clocking 8:06.90 to clinch the Diamond League final trophy> the Moroccan followed in 8:08.60 as Tunisia’s Mohamed Jhinaoui ( 8:09.68 ) completed the podium.
Serem reckons a change in mindset saw him shine in Brussels and will be the key to success in Tokyo.
“For a long time, we feared El Bakkali when he surged to the front. Now, that fear is gone,” Serem admits.
“I’ve learned to trust my race and push harder when it counts.”
Having his brother, Edmund Serem, alongside him will help push him to victory.
“If Edmund qualifies, it will give me even more motivation. Together, we form a potent force and we can push for a 1-2 finish for Kenya,” he added.
Serem credits Athletics Kenya’s training camps for helping steeplechasers like himself and his brother reach new heights.
“The camps are vital. My performance in the Diamond League and Edmund’s win at the World U20 prove that they (camps) are working,” he said.
AK launched a training programme before the Olympics and incorporated legends such as two-time Olympic champion Ezekiel Kemboi into the team’s training.
At the World U20, Edmund set a world U20 lead of 8:15.28, leading Mathew Kosgei ( 8:17.46 ) and Ethiopia’s Hailu Ayalew ( 8:24.08 ) home.
The Serem brothers will kick off their season in December with light mileage before going hard training in January.
“We’ll focus on mileage first, then speed work from January. We hope to participate in the cross country (series) to help us build endurance and speed,” Serem said.
He wants to sharpen his finishing kick and perfect his barrier-clearing technique.
“I’m working on my speed, especially in the final 800m and
improving my barrier clearance,” he concluded.