“One of the moments of the year!”: Soufiane El Bakkali runs stunning world-leading steeplechase time at Diamond League
Soufiane El Bakkali
The Diamond League in Rabbat Morocco is turning out to be quite the fantastic meet, as several star athletes are coming up to set the stage on fire. The home country’s favourite Soufiane El Bakkali was no different, as he took to a dominant victory in style at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah.
Elaine Thompson-Herah had already taken a blistering victory in the women’s 100m event, while 400m hurdles Olympic and World Record holder Karsten Warholm had pour luck as he pulled out due to a supposed hamstring injury. It was now time for El Bakkali to take the stage, as the home crowd cheered him on for a victory.
Soufiane El Bakkali takes dominant home victory at Diamond League
El Bakkali took the stage, but he was up against Ethiopia’s Lamecha Girma who had given him a tough fight at the Tokyo Olympics too. He chose the right moment to take over the race from Girma, as he led on to a dominant victory once again in 7:58.28. This bodes well for the athlete, as he plans to add a gold to his already existing silver and bronze at the World Championships.
El Bakkali was swarmed by the home crowd as he tried to leave the arena. Girma also dipped under eight minutes, clocking 7:59.24 to take second place. His teammate Hailemariyam Tegegn kept in touch with the leaders till the final lap to take third place.
Saivee Phatak
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