WORLD RECORD: MOROCCO: Soufiane El Bakkali Creates History Wins Gold in Steeplechase at the ‘World Athletics Championships’, Eugene,USA. Creates History- Becomes First Moroccan Athlete to Win Gold in 3,000m Steeplechase at World Championships.

After his recent achievement, El Bakkali became the “king of steeplechase.”.

King Mohammed VI sent on Tuesday a message to Moroccan steeplechase runner Soufiane El Bakkali, congratulating him on winning the gold medal at the World Athletics Championships held in Eugene, US.

The Moroccan athlete brought Morocco its first gold in the 3,000m steeplechase in this year’s World Championships, ending Kenya’s 15-year reign in the discipline at the international competition.

The King expressed his appreciation for El Bakkali’s achievement, saying that the Moroccan athlete “was able, thanks to his competitive spirit and patriotism, to achieve this well-deserved victory.”

“As we commend this well-deserved global crown, with which you raised the flag of Morocco in this prestigious international event, we wish you success in your rich sporting career, covered by our generous sympathy and satisfaction,” the King added.

A teary-eyed El Bakkali raised the Moroccan flag after his triumph, telling the media he was dedicating this win to King Mohammed VI, his parents, and to all the Moroccans who have shown him endless support and encouragement.

Several international media reporting on El Bakkali’s recent achievement described him as the “king of steelechase” after claiming world title.

He added, “After the semi-final I had a good look at the strategy of the Kenyan athletes. I was on my own, the only Moroccan in the race, but I did not limit myself to winning silver nor bronze. Instead I managed to come first in two world league meetings and now the World Championship.”

El Bakkali began earning his first medals at international events at the 2017 World Championship in London, where he placed second, before finishing first in the 2018 Mediterranean Games in Spain.

In August 2021, Soufiane El Bakkali gave Moroccans a moment of pride after his historic achievement at the Olympics, ending Kenya’s dominance over the men’s 3,000m steeplechase and winning the gold medal at Tokyo 2020. 

source/content: moroccoworldnews.com (headline edited)

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Soufiane Bakkali Wins Morocco’s First Medal with Gold. Makes History at Tokyo 2020 Olympics : August 2021

Soufianne El Bakkali. Steeplechase runner. Athlete

Soufianne el Bakkali makes history, ends Kenya’s 3000m steeplechase domination.

The last time Kenya entered the 3000m stepplechase and did not finish first was the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, 57 years ago.

He thus became the first non-Kenyan born athlete to win the gold at the Olympics or World Championships since 1987.

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pix: Soufiane El Bakkali, of Morocco celebrates after winning the gold medal in the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP) / www.arabnews.com

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