El Bakkali defends the men’s steeplechase world championship win

Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco successfully defended his 3000 m steeplechase world championship on Tuesday in Budapest, cruising to the finish line in front of Lamecha Girma of Ethiopia, who holds the current world record.

Olympic gold medalist El Bakkali, 27, ran 8:03.53 seconds, while Girma finished in 8:05.44.

Abraham Kibiwot of Kenya finished the last loop in third place (8:11.79) despite falling at the first obstacle.

Read also: Ahizoune: Soufian El Bakkali Victory is a pride for national athletics