World Under-20 3000m steeplechase champion Edmund Serem will be chasing glory on Sunday, as he lines up for the 2025 Rabat Diamond League with a clear mission: secure a podium finish and lower his personal best.
The 17-year-old phenom has already sent ripples through the global athletics scene this season with impressive Diamond League performances in Xiamen and Shanghai. In Xiamen on April 26, Serem clocked a lifetime best of 8:08.50 to finish fourth in a high-calibre race dominated by Ethiopia’s Samuel Firewu (8:05.61), Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali (8:06.66), and fellow Kenyan Simon Koech (8:07.12).
Just a week later in Shanghai on May 3, Serem reinforced his rising-star status by taking second place in 8:08.68, beaten only by Ethiopia’s Abrham Sime (8:07.92), with Koech once again in third (8:09.05).
“My target is to try and lower my personal best and claim another podium finish,” Serem told reporters ahead of the Rabat clash.
Buoyed by his podium finish in Shanghai, Serem believes the confidence gained from these early-season performances will be crucial in navigating what promises to be a highly competitive field at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
“Securing a podium finish in Shanghai has been a morale booster. I feel more confident now going into races,” he said.
Sunday’s race will feature a partisan crowd rallying behind Olympic and world champion El Bakkali, but the 2024 African Championships silver medallist insists he is unfazed.
“I am ready for anything. I hope everything goes well and I stick to my game plan,” Serem added.
Joining Serem in Rabat’s steeplechase lineup are Olympic bronze medallist Abraham Kibiwot and Wilberforce Kones. Kibiwot is eyeing redemption after underwhelming finishes in Xiamen (8:10.13) and Shanghai (8:12.56), while Sime will aim to build on his recent Diamond League victory.
Kenya’s presence in Rabat extends beyond the steeplechase. Reynold Cheruiyot, fresh off his commanding win in the 5000m at the Doha Diamond League, headlines the men’s 1500m alongside compatriots Vincent Keter, Boaz Kiprugut, and Festus Lagat.
Olympic 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi will also be in action, teaming up with Aaron Cheminingwa and Wycliffe Kinyamal in the two-lap showdown.
In the women’s 3000m, double Olympic champion Beatrice Chebet—who just clocked the second-fastest time in history (8:11.56) in Rabat—returns for another showdown, accompanied by Janeth Chepngetich, as they face a formidable Ethiopian lineup.
With Kenya’s rising and established stars ready to take on the world in Morocco, all eyes will be on Rabat as the road to Paris 2024 gains intensity. For Edmund Serem, Sunday offers another step toward joining the pantheon of great Kenyan steeplechasers—and he’s ready to take it.
