El Bakkali's Remarkable Journey in the 2026 Outdoor Season
Casablanca — Soufiane El Bakkali has officially wrapped up his outdoor season for 2026, expressing a sense of satisfaction even though he fell short of clinching the Diamond League title. The seasoned athlete reflected on a campaign that not only challenged his aspirations but also tested his physical endurance. The 30-year-old Moroccan steeplechaser structured his season around the prestigious Wanda Diamond League, where he competed five times in the 3,000m event, achieving an impressive three victories along with two second-place finishes.
El Bakkali's season commenced on a high note at the Mohammed VI International Athletics Meeting, held in Rabat on May 31. Before an enthusiastic home crowd, he clocked an astounding 7:57.25, marking the fastest time in the world for the year and making history as the first athlete to break the eight-minute barrier in 2026. Following this remarkable start, he continued to showcase his prowess with victories in both Stockholm and Doha. However, his winning streak came to an end at the Silesia meeting on August 23, where he was narrowly defeated by Ethiopia’s Gemechu Godana in a thrilling finish.
Reflections on a Challenging Yet Rewarding Season
In the Diamond League final held in Brussels on September 5, El Bakkali once again found himself in second place, as Godana secured the Diamond Trophy with a time of 8:08.67. The Moroccan athlete finished shortly after at 8:10.03, with Kenya’s Simon Koech taking the third spot. Reflecting on the entirety of his season, El Bakkali conveyed that it was predominantly positive, emphasizing the unique importance of his opening race in Rabat. He expressed gratitude, stating, “Thank God, I have reached the end of the season. Overall, it was a good season for me. I got off to a more than fantastic start at the Rabat meeting, in front of a home crowd that created an unforgettable moment.”
However, the Olympic and world champion acknowledged that the latter half of the season proved to be more complex, as fatigue began to take a toll on his physical performance. “After that, I continued the rest of the races in good form, but things did not always go the way I wanted because I started feeling some fatigue and did not feel fully ready,” El Bakkali noted. He encapsulated the struggle with a poignant statement: “The mind wants it, but the body has its say.”
Despite these obstacles, El Bakkali approached the Diamond League final as a fresh challenge, giving his utmost effort until the end. “Despite that, I entered the Diamond League final looking for a new challenge and gave everything I had until the end. It was not the result I hoped for, but I am satisfied with everything I gave this season,” he remarked. The Moroccan star took a moment to extend his gratitude to those who supported him throughout this journey, including his team, before casting his gaze towards future endeavors. “Now we rest… then we come back stronger. The story continues,” El Bakkali concluded, signing off with his signature message: “Dima Maghrib.”
As reported by moroccoworldnews.com.
