The Serem brothers' strategic plan to reclaim Kenya’s lost steeplechase glory
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Reading Time: 3min | Tue. 17.12.24. | 15:06
Kenya’s rich history in the steeplechase saw the country win every Olympic title from 1968 to 2016
Amos Serem’s younger brother, Edmund, has outlined their ambitious plans to restore Kenya’s dominance in the men’s 3000m steeplechase. The plan includes putting reigning champion Soufiane El Bakkali on notice.
The 2023 World Under-20 steeplechase champion revealed that efforts are already underway to strategize and ensure Kenya regains its long-held supremacy in the event.
Kenya’s rich history in the steeplechase saw the country win every Olympic title from 1968 to 2016, but the tides shifted following Ezekiel Kemboi’s retirement and Conseslus Kipruto’s injury struggles.
Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali disrupted Kenya’s streak at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics and went on to dominate the 2022 and 2023 World Championships, while Ethiopia’s Lamecha Girma broke the world record last year.
However, Edmund remains confident that the new generation of steeplechasers, including himself and Amos, is ready to reclaim Kenya’s lost glory.
“We have discussed strategic plans to nurture and work with young, emerging stars to maintain Kenya's athletics dominance, especially in the steeplechase.
In recent years, the men’s steeplechase has been dominated by Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali, but we plan to end that,” Edmund told World Athletics.
Despite his limited experience on the global stage—his standout achievements include a sixth-place finish at the African Games in Accra, Ghana, and gold at the World Under-20 Championships in Lima, Peru—Edmund is already setting his sights on making the cut for the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
His immediate focus is to qualify through the Kenyan trials, after which he plans to work closely with the selected team to bring back the steeplechase title.
“We’re taking things step by step. The first goal is to make the national team at the trials, and then we’ll focus on the World Championships,” Edmund said.
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Edmund also spoke of the vital role their father played in supporting their athletic dreams. Unlike his sons, their father could not pursue his passion for athletics due to a lack of resources. Determined to give his children the opportunities he missed, he has been their biggest motivator.
“Our father had a great passion for athletics but did not get enough support at the time. He always says, ‘I don’t want you to lack anything as I did during my time.’
He buys us training shoes, and running gear, and even gives us transport money to attend regional competitions,” Edmund explained.
The Serem brothers have been focusing on gym work over the past month, gradually transitioning to longer runs to build endurance. Edmund may also participate in a few local cross-country races as part of his preparations.
Looking ahead, the brothers are united by a shared mission to succeed where their father could not.
“It has always been our dad’s dream to see us achieve what he could not. I don’t care which one of us wins the race because, at the end of the day, the success will come home,” he concluded.
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