Rabat – Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali settled for second place in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the Diamond League final in Brussels on Saturday, as Ethiopia’s Gemechu Godana pulled off the upset to take the title.
Godana produced a winning time of 8:08.67 at King Baudouin Stadium, with El Bakkali crossing the line in 8:10.03. Kenya’s Simon Koech took third in 8:11.15.
The result marked a rare setback for El Bakkali, who arrived in Brussels as the leading qualifier with 31 points and had established himself as the man to beat throughout much of the Diamond League season.
The 30-year-old Moroccan had won three of his five steeplechase races on the circuit this season. He also came into the final with the fastest time in the world this year: 7:57.25, which he set at the Rabat meeting on May 31. His personal best remains 7:56.68.
Despite missing out on the Diamond League crown, El Bakkali’s season adds another strong chapter to an already remarkable career. The Moroccan is a two-time Olympic and world champion in the event and remains one of the dominant figures in the steeplechase.
The final proved more difficult for fellow Moroccan Salaheddine Ben Yazide, who did not finish the race.
Ben Yazide, 23, had secured sixth place in the Diamond League qualifiers with 14 points. He arrived in Brussels with confidence after winning the steeplechase title at the Mediterranean Games in Taranto just days earlier, where he posted 8:46.14.
Earlier this season, Ben Yazide also set a new personal best of 8:05.08 at the Silesia meeting, where he finished third.