Amos Serem and Simon Koech have rekindled the confidence of local athletic fans that steeplechase is still a Kenyan speciality.
The duo won their respective 3,000m steeplechase first round races on Friday, August 20, at the ongoing World Athletics Under-20 Championships in Nairobi. Their wins have made them advance to the finals due on Sunday, August 22.
Serem overtook Ethiopia’s Tadese Takele just after the last water jump clocking 8:29.98 while Takele finished second in 8:30.47 and Uganda’s Leonard Chemutai came in third in 8:42.71.
Koech on the other hand, took command with only three laps to go, claiming the first heat in 8:52.43. Ethiopia’s Samuel Firewu came in second in 8:52.87 followed by Eritrea’s Simon Behrahtu in 8:54.08.
Koech stated that it was all about testing his opponents by staying behind them, and that Kenya should expect a gold medal from him and Serem.
“My body responded well right from the start and was strong to hold on to the lead from the beginning to the end. I was also aware of the competition from Ethiopia and Eritrea, so I had to be alert,” stated Koech.
Kenya's dominance in the 3,000m steeplechase was broken at the Olympics after Soufiane El Bakkali bagged gold, and Kenya’s Benjamin Kigen settling for bronze in the recently concluded Tokyo Olympic games.
This made Kenya miss out on gold for the first time since 1968.
However, the young duo are keen on reclaiming the title which Kenya had lost to Ethiopia.
Serem stated that Kenya would remain a powerhouse in steeplechase championships and beyond.
“I started the race feeling great after my colleague won his race. As a team, we want to make a strong statement that Kenya is and will remain a powerhouse in the Steeplechase this championship and beyond,” he said.