The Mohammed VI Meeting in Rabat, which also marked the inauguration of the Olympic Stadium and served as the fourth stage of the 2025 Diamond League, witnessed a flurry of exceptional performances, with several records broken and world-leading times set by African athletes.
Morocco’s own Soufiane El Bakkali delivered a world-best performance of the year in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase, clocking an impressive 8:00.70. The two-time Olympic and world champion secured a resounding victory in front of his home crowd, reaffirming his dominance in the discipline.
Kenya’s Béatrice Chebet produced a historic race in the women’s 3,000m. Her time of 8:11.56 not only set a new African record but also made her the second-fastest woman of all time over the distance, trailing only China’s Wang Junxia. This performance underscored her versatility and athleticism.
In the men’s 800m, Botswana’s Tshepiso Masalela, 26, made a significant impact, setting a personal best of 1:42.70. His clear victory over Kenyan Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi highlighted the emergence of new African talent in middle-distance running.
Nigerian sprint hurdler Tobi Amusan dominated the women’s 100m hurdles, breaking the meeting record with a time of 12.45 seconds. This performance signals her strong return to form and her position among the world’s elite.
Further African victories included Ethiopia’s Tsige Duguma, who won a tightly contested women’s 800m, and Kenya’s Nelly Chepchirchir, who claimed the women’s 1,500m in 3:58.04. South African sprinter Akani Simbine confirmed his excellent form by winning the men’s 100m in 9.95 seconds, edging out African record holder Ferdinand Omanyala of Kenya in a high-caliber race.
These remarkable achievements at the Rabat meeting underscore the vitality and diverse talent within African athletics, as the continent’s top athletes continue to leave their mark on the international stage.
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