Ezekiel Kemboi is determined to reclaim Kenya’s steeplechase glory from Soufiane El Bakkali at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo.
Steeplechase legend Ezekiel Kemboi believes that Soufiane El Bakkali will not be in a position to defend his world title at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
The two-time Olympic champion has since ventured into coaching and has a young crop of steeplechasers he is working with to ensure that they secure slots in the global event.
El Bakkali took the title from Kenyans at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Oregon and successfully defended his title in 2023 in Budapest but Kemboi has vowed that it was the last time he showed Kenyans dust at the event since he is working to ensure the nation’s glory is restored.
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Everything that you need to know about Ezekiel Kemboi’s net worth, career, achievements, earnings, endorsements and personal life in 2025.
Ezekiel Kemboi remains one of the most accomplished steeplechasers in the country and over time, he expressed disappointment in how Kenya has been performing recently, forcing him to take up the coaching job.
Kemboi revealed that the current crop of steeplechasers cannot take Kenya back to its glory days, citing the likes of Abraham Kibiwott, and Amos Serem among others.
“In Tokyo, things will be a bit different because now in Kenya, I have started coaching. I have a small team and specifically, I am planning for Tokyo with my athletes,” Kemboi said in an interview with RTV International.
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“I have about six strong athletes and I want them to be like Kemboi. We are now doing intense training for them to be world-beaters in the near future.
“We are starting with Tokyo and hopefully, we shall be there to showcase our effort and show the world that one champion, can coach another athlete to the a champion.”
The four-time world champion placed Kenya on the world map during his time, winning two Olympic gold medals, in 2004 and 2012.
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Ezekiel Kemboi also claimed top honours four times at the World Championships, winning in 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015.
Since his retirement, Conseslus Kipruto took over but following his decline in performance, no other Kenyan steeplechaser has made the cut. At the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, one Kenyan, Abraham Kibiwott snack into the podium bracket, winning a bronze medal.
As Ezekiel Kemboi prepares his athletes for the 2025 World Championships, he is determined to bring Kenya back to its steeplechase glory, aiming to showcase that the next generation of Kenyan champions will rise under his guidance.
Ezekiel Kemboi’s vision of reclaiming the world title for Kenya remains unwavering, as he looks to inspire and mentor his athletes to follow in his footsteps and leave their mark on the global stage.
