Upset Victory: Beamish Wins Steeplechase at World Championships

Beamish stuns El Bakkali for World Championship title

Geordie Beamish pulls off a stunning upset, edging out Soufiane El Bakkali for gold in the 3000m steeplechase at the World Championships.

Beamish's triumph capped off an extraordinary week for the athlete. Just days prior, he suffered a setback in his heat...

New Zealand's Geordie Beamish pulled off a stunning upset in the men's 3,000m steeplechase final at the World Athletics Championships, edging out Morocco's Soufiane El Bakkali in a thrilling finish. Beamish's late kick propelled him past El Bakkali at the line, securing his first global title in 8:33.88 seconds. This victory marked a remarkable week for Beamish, who had fallen and gotten stamped on the head during his heat but recovered to qualify for the final.

El Bakkali, a double Olympic and world champion, seemed destined for a hat-trick win after surging clear at the bell. However, he lost momentum after lightly touching the last barrier, allowing Beamish to seize the opportunity and snatch the gold medal. El Bakkali was left tearful and frustrated, admitting it was a difficult result to accept. The Moroccan athlete finished with a time of 8:33.95 seconds, just 0.07 seconds behind Beamish.

Seventeen-year-old Kenyan athlete Edmund Serum took the bronze medal with a time of 8:34.56 seconds, showcasing impressive talent and potential in the steeplechase event.

In a heart-stopping conclusion, Beamish leveraged his renowned late kick to overtake his competitors and claim victory on the line with a time of 8 minutes 33.88 seconds. This impressive maneuver allowed him to edge past the champion by a mere seven-hundredths of a second, showcasing his exceptional speed and endurance.

WHAT A FINISH ‼

🇳🇿’s Geordie Beamish is the 3000m steeplechase world champion 🤯🤯

After a spike to the face in the heats, he kicks to 8:33.88 in the 3000m steeplechase to edge out 🇲🇦’s Soufiane El Bakkali in a dramatic finish 🔥#WorldAthleticsChamps pic.twitter.com/9eZmqW2sgX

— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) September 15, 2025

Beamish's triumph capped off an extraordinary week for the athlete. Just days prior, he suffered a setback in his heat, falling with only one lap remaining and sustaining an injury when another runner's foot stamped on his head. Displaying remarkable resilience and determination, Beamish rebounded to qualify for the final and ultimately secure the top spot on the podium.

In addition to Beamish's remarkable achievement, 17-year-old Kenyan athlete Edmund Serum made a significant impact by claiming the bronze medal with a time of 8:34.56. Serum's outstanding performance highlights the promising talent emerging from Kenya's athletics programs and sets a positive trajectory for his future in the sport.