- Kenya’s Edmund Serem claimed bronze in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase final at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on Monday, 15 September.
- Competing in his first senior global championship, the 17-year-old finished third with a time of 8:34.56.
- The 2024 World U20 champion attributed his success to the inspiration he received from his mentor, marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge.
Kenya’s emerging talent Edmund Serem was left overjoyed after clinching a bronze medal in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase final at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on Monday, 15 September.
The 2024 World U20 champion credited his success to the inspiration he received from his mentor Eliud Kipchoge.
Competing in his first senior global championship, the 17-year-old finished third with a time of 8:34.56.
He followed New Zealand’s Geordie Beamish, who staged a dramatic sprint finish to snatch gold in 8:33.88, ending Soufiane El Bakkali’s reign of dominance as the Moroccan took silver in a closely contested race.
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His achievement means Kenya has now secured three medals so far at the Tokyo 2025 Championship, adding to Beatrice Chebet’s gold in the women’s 10,000m and Peres Jepchirchir’s gold in the women’s marathon.
“I’m very happy today for winning my first senior medal. When I was coming to this World Championship, I was prepared and I knew something good was coming,” Serem said after the race.
“The whole season I was participating in the Diamond Leagues and I managed to finish on the podium in all of them. When I came here I knew something was coming, but it would be a tough journey.”
How conversation with Eliud Kipchoge kept Edmund Serem going
Serem revealed the race was not easy; however, the legendary Kipchoge called him and offered words of inspiration that pushed him to his fateful bronze.
“I knew I was coming to compete with elite champions, the world holders and record-setters, so I knew the competition would be fierce. This medal is an encouragement to me and it will give me more hope that good things are coming,” he said.
“I was anxious because of the massive crowd in the stadium, as well as running alongside the world record holders, but I maintained my composure. I drew my encouragement from my mentor, Eliud Kipchoge. He called me today and told me, ‘You are going to do this,’” he added.
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Kenya’s more medal hopes kept alive in the men’s 1500m
Kenya’s ambitions for more medals were also bolstered after Reynold Cheruiyot and Timothy Cheruiyot secured their spots in the men’s 1500m final.
Reynold, the reigning World U20 champion, won his heat in 3:36.64. Meanwhile, Timothy, a former world champion and Olympic silver medalist, advanced by clocking 3:35.61 to finish fourth in a tactical race.