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Soufiane El Bakkali finishes second in surprise Silesia Diamond League defeat

Soufiane El Bakkali

Soufiane El Bakkali finished second in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the Silesia Diamond League meeting on Sunday, as Ethiopia’s Gemechu Godana upset the Moroccan favorite with a meeting-record time of 8:02.74.

By Oumeïma Er-rafay

On 24/08/2026 at 11h35

It was a surprise in Silesia. Ethiopia’s Gemechu Godana claimed victory in 8:02.74, beating favourite Soufiane El Bakkali on Sunday, August 23.

Shock in the steeplechase!

Gemechu Godana stuns Soufiane El Bakkali in the last 200 metres to clock a meeting record of 8:02.74.#SilesiaDL🇵🇱#DiamondLeague
📸@gorczynskamarta pic.twitter.com/TFD2om7o3T
— Wanda Diamond League (@Diamond_League) August 23, 2026

Godana also broke the meeting record, previously held by the Moroccan at 8:03.16.

El Bakkali, however, still holds the season’s best time of 7:57.25, which he set in Rabat in May.

Fellow Moroccan Salah Eddine Ben Yazide finished third in 8:05.08, setting a new personal best.

By Oumeïma Er-rafay

On 24/08/2026 at 11h35

#Soufiane El Bakkali #Diamond League #Silesia Diamond League #Gemechu Godana #athletics #3,000m steeplechase #Morocco

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