Kenya loses Olympic steeple title for first time since 1984

Kenya lost its long standing place on the high table as the kings of the steeplechase after Moroccan Soufiane El Bakkali won Olympic gold at the final in Tokyo on Monday. Kenya could only manage bronze with Benjamin Kigen coming in third.

The steeplechase has always been Kenya’s traditional event and it is one of the medals usually in the bag even before the start of the competition. But, with reigning champion Conseslus Kipruto missing, and Kenya going into the final without a big name in the race, this dominance was always in danger.

For the first time since 1984, a different nationality won the Gold Medal. The only other two times that Kenya has not won the Olympic steeple Gold since 1968 was in 1976 and 1980 when the country boycotted the games.

Morocco’s El Bakkali became the first non-Kenyan to win the steeplechase title in 37 years when he powered home for the win the race clocking 8:08.90, in the process becoming the first Moroccan to ever win the water and barriers race. Ethiopian Lamecha Girma was second for silver in 8:10.38.

Soufiane El Bakkali. PHOTO/Reuters

Kenya has never lost the Olympic gold medal in the water and barriers race since 1980 and if the country wouldn’t have boycotted the Games in ’80 and ’76, then Kenya’s dominance would have gone back all the way to 1968.

Kigen ensured Kenya at least had something on the podium with a well worked third place finish where he timed 8:11.45, having taken advantage of Ethiopian Getnet Wale’s slip in the final water barrier to power home for bronze.

The Kenya Defense Forces soldier reckons that Kenya was beaten as other countries have embraced new methods of running.

“Steeplechase has evolved over the years .it is not the same as it was 10 years ago when the times were slow and competitors feared each other. If you go to YouTube, you will see there is a big difference on how the race has grown, yes we have lost the title for the first time but it is an eye opener, it is now time that we changed our tactics and prepare well because the race dynamics have also changed,” Kigen said after the race.

The steeplechase final

Looking back at the competition over the seven and a half Laps, Kigen was disappointed they couldn’t work together with compatriot Abraha Kibiwott, like they had promised when they left Kenya.

“Lack of teamwork contributed to this performance. Also, the temperatures were so high and when it rained, it didn’t make things easier. But I am happy with the bronze. I think the mistake I did was let the gap open up. If I had stuck to the front, I know I would have challenged for gold,” he said after the race.

The Kenyan duo of Kigen and Kibiwott ran on the shadows of the two Ethiopians Girma and Wale who were leading the front runners for most of the race. At the bell though when the Ethiopians stepped up the pace, Kigen couldn’t react and Kibiwott was already dropping back.

Moroccan El Bakkali was already beginning to scent blood and close in to the front. With 200m to go, He laid down his marker, striding to the front and pumping up the pace to pass the two Ethiopians.

Girma tried to catch up with him, but the Moroccan was too much for pace. Wale was clinging on to third place but when he slipped just as he prepared to take the last water hurdle, Kigen took advantage and powered home.