Edmund Serem clears a barrier during the steeplechase, showcasing his power and focus ahead of the Zurich Diamond League final.

Edmund Serem was the star of the show, winning his heat dominantly as Abraham Kibiwott narrowly secured a slot in the final with Simon Koech missing out.

The men’s 3000m steeplechase heats at the World Athletics Championships 2025 in Tokyo, Japan, ushered in the evening session, with youngster Edmund Serem oozing class as Kenyans secured their slots to the final.

As per World Athletics, the top five from each heat qualify for the final on Monday.

The first heat of the men’s 3000m steeplechase had Edmund Serem, Amos Serem’s younger brother, looking to fly Kenya’s flag high amid very tough opposition.

Japan’s Ryuji Miura, competing on home soil after an impressive Diamond League campaign, was also in the mix, hoping to impress the fans at the national stadium.

Edmund Serem put up a spirited fight, attacking on the final straight to secure a commanding victory in 8:29.97, keeping Kenya’s hopes alive.

Getnet Wale and Ryuji Miura finished second and third in respective times of 8:30.14 and 8:30.43, securing their places in the final. Nicolas Marie-Daru and Ahmed Jaziri secured their places in the final after fourth and fifth.

The second heat was headlined by Abraham Kibiwott, the Olympic 3000m steeplechase bronze medallist. Germany’s Fredrik Ruppert, who won the Diamond League Final in Zurich, was also in the mix.

Passing the 400m mark, Kibiwott was running in fifth place, comfortably, as Sweden’s Leo Magnusson led the pack. Passing the 700m mark, not much had changed as Kibiwott had maintained his place with the Swede in the front.

At the 900m mark, Abraham Kibiwott surged to the front and was running in third, making his intentions clear. The Swede was still dominant, with Canada’s Jean-Simon Desgagnes.

Passing the 2000m mark, the Diamond League final winner, Ruppert, also made his intentions clear, slowly passing his opponents to take the lead, which he eventually did. Abraham Kibiwott followed him closely.

However, the order quickly changed in the home straight as Morocco’s Salahedinne Ben Yazide came from behind to take the lead. Geordie Beamish, who was also laid back, took second place as Samuel Firewu sealed the podium.

Frederick Ruppert and Abraham Kibiwott, who were favourites to impress, were forced to settle for fourth and fifth.

Heat three was loaded as it promised a showdown between the two favourites, Ethiopia’s world record holder Lamecha Girma and Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali.

Soufiane El Bakkali is the only male track athlete to win individual global gold in the same event for four consecutive years. Lamecha Girma has competed just once since a concussion caused by a dramatic fall 200m from the finish in the Olympic final.

Kenya’s Simon Koech was also in the mix, looking to challenge the stars. Passing the 500m mark, El Bakkali was in no hurry to take the lead with Belgium’s Tim Van De Velde doing the donkey’s work.

After two laps, Soufiane El Bakkali had slowly adapted to the pace, with Lamecha Girma seemingly in no hurry as he ran from behind. Simon Koech was running in third place at this point.

After five laps, Simon Koech took the lead, and at this time, Lamecha Girma and Soufiane El Bakkali were looking comfortable leading from behind as they strategised on how best to attack.