Moroccan Olympic and world champion Soufiane El Bakkali qualified on Saturday for the final of the 3,000 m steeplechase, part of the 19th World Athletics Championships, taking place from August 19 to 27 in the Hungarian capital, Budapest.

El Bakkali finished 2nd in the 2nd heat in 8min 23sec 66/100è, behind American Kenneth Rooks with the same time (8:23:66), while Tunisia’s Mohamed Amin Jhinaoui came third (8:24.20).

The other Moroccan, Salaheddine Ben Yazide, was eliminated after coming 10th in the same series with a time of 8min 38sec 14/100è.

In the 1st series, his compatriot Mohamed Tindouf was eliminated after finishing 6th in 8min 20sec 67/100è, as was Mohammed Msaad who came 9th in the 3rd series with a time of 8min 22sec 95/100è.

The top five finishers in each of the three heats secured their tickets for the final of the event.

Morocco, represented at the World Championships (Budapest – 2023) by 17 athletes (12 men and 5 women), had won 31 medals in its 18 previous appearances at the World Athletics Championships, including 11 gold, 12 silver and 8 bronze, won by 14 athletes.

Source: Agency Morocaine De Presse