“I’m here to stay”: Brimming Serem declares after bagging bronze in Tokyo

 Fresh from clinching bronze in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase at the 2025 World Athletics Championships, Kenya’s Edmund Serem has declared his arrival on the global stage, vowing to dominate the event for years to come.

Running in a highly tactical final at the National Stadium on Monday night, Serem clocked 8:34.56 to finish third behind New Zealand’s Geordie Beamish, who stunned defending champion Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco with a brilliant late surge to win gold. El Bakkali settled for silver in 8:33.95, while Serem held off a chasing pack to secure his first senior world championship medal.

“I’m very happy for this medal,” Serem said after the race. “I wanted gold, but unfortunately, I got bronze. Today I’m very happy.”

The reigning World U20 champion and 2024 African silver medallist showed maturity beyond his years as he navigated a crowded field and tricky early laps. Alongside Germany’s Frederik Ruppert, Serem pushed the early pace, covering the first 600m in 1:49.76 and reaching halfway in 4:34.90. Despite being boxed in mid-race, the 17-year-old showed resilience, choosing to swing wide and time his finishing kick perfectly.

“I was prepared, but I wasn’t planning to run in front,” he explained. “But unfortunately, I was in the second lane, so they boxed me in and I had no other option. With two laps to go, people were pushing forward, so I ran outside and prepared for the final kick.”

Serem has been in impressive form all season. He ran a personal best of 8:07.47 at the Rabat Diamond League in May, before winning the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi. His rise has been swift — from winning U20 gold in Lima in 2024 (8:15.28) to challenging the world’s best on the senior circuit.

“Steeplechase has been dominated by Kenya for a long time,” Serem added. “And with this medal, I’m sure Kenyans and my family are very happy. In the coming championships, I promise to do even better. I’m here to stay and dominate for a very long time.”

Kenya has historically owned the men’s steeplechase, winning a cumulative 13 world titles since 1983. But El Bakkali’s rise has disrupted that dominance in recent years.

 Now, with Serem emerging as a new force, the event's future may again wear Kenyan colours.