Edmund Serem Tastes Defeat To Frederik Ruppert in 3,000m Steeplechase at Diamond League Final

World Under-20 3,000m champion Edmund Serem failed to turn his talent into victory at the Diamond League men’s 3,000m steeplechase, finishing second in Zurich after a thrilling battle.

The Kenyan star, who carried the weight of expectation, produced a strong run but was outkicked in the final lap by Germany’s Frederik Ruppert, who surged ahead to win in 8:09.02.

Serem followed in 8:09.96, a valiant effort but short of the gold that many had predicted.

PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Sports News in Kenya from Pulse Sports

The highly competitive race saw Morocco’s Salaheddine Ben Yazide close strongly to secure third with 8:14.10, while Spain’s Daniel Arce, who had been in podium contention for much of the contest, slipped to fourth in 8:14.36.

France’s Nicolas-Marie Daru was fifth in 8:18.68 after a determined chase, while the United States’ Isaac Updike ran consistently to claim sixth in 8:19.47.

Further down the field, Tunisia’s Mohamed Amin Jhinaoui clocked 8:24.75 for seventh, followed by Ethiopia’s Abrahm Sime in 8:28.13. Belgium’s Tim van de Velde, racing on home soil in the Diamond League circuit, closed in ninth with 8:31.52.

The race also had its disappointments, as Kenyan duo Wilberforce Chemiat Kones and Wesley Langat both failed to finish, unable to keep pace in the unforgiving rhythm of the steeplechase.

For Serem, the result was bittersweet. As the reigning World Under-20 champion, he has carried the promise of being Kenya’s next great steeplechase star.

Yet in Zurich, he found himself unable to respond to Ruppert’s late surge. His silver medal performance still reflects his rising stature in the event, but the defeat highlights the growing competition from Europe and North Africa in a discipline long dominated by Kenyans.

Ruppert’s victory was historic in its own right, showing that the gap is closing and that Kenyan supremacy in the steeplechase is no longer guaranteed.

Serem’s disappointment was evident, though he remained gracious in defeat, vowing to return stronger in future races.