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Former Under 20 World Champion almost handed the Moroccan a rare defeat in steeplechase
Highly rated Kenyan youngster Amos Serem lost to double Olympic champion Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco by 1000th of a second in The Silesia Diamond League steeplechase race. They both clocked 8:04.29 but the 6'5 inch El Bakkali was adjudged to have crossed first.
The race feature all three medalists from Paris Olympic games with Kenneth Rooks of USA and Abraham Kibiwot of Kenya the other podium finishers from the Olympics.
Abderrafia Abdousel of Morocco did splendid pacing duties as he led the talented field through the opening 400m in 1:00.84. He clocked 2:40.70 through 1000m before compatriot El Bakkali started to control proceedings.
The Olympic champion led through 2000m in 5:24.78 but ceded control to the Kenyans led by Amos Serem and trailed by Kibiwot. The Moroccan kept a close eye and turned on the burners in the last 200m, reeling in on Serem to take victory while Firewu Samuel of Ethiopia claimed third spot in 8:04.34.
Kibiwot mustered 4th placed finish in 8:0821 while faded to 16th position.
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