Morocco’s Imad Bouchajda produced a stunning performance to win the men’s 800m final at the World Athletics U20 Championships on the night of Saturday, August 8, to Sunday, August 9, in Eugene, Oregon, securing Morocco’s first medal of the competition.
The 19-year-old crossed the finish line in 1:44.64, comfortably ahead of Australia’s Daniel Williams, who took silver in 1:45.36, and Spain’s Alejandro Rios, who claimed bronze in 1:46.25.
The reigning African U20 silver medalist and Moroccan U20 record holder captured the biggest title of his young career, confirming his status as one of the world’s most promising middle-distance runners.
His victory also delivered Morocco’s first medal of the championships, with the national team still hoping to add to its tally, particularly in the men’s 1,500m.
Bouchajda becomes only the fourth Moroccan athlete to win a gold medal at the World Athletics U20 Championships, following Adil Kaouch, who won the 1,500m in Annecy, France, in 1998; Yassine Bensghir, crowned over the same distance in Kingston, Jamaica, in 2002; and Abdalaati Iguider, who triumphed in the 1,500m at Grosseto, Italy, in 2004.
He is also the first Moroccan athlete ever to win a world U20 title in the 800 meters.
With Bouchajda’s victory, Morocco’s overall tally at the World Athletics U20 Championships now stands at 23 medals: four gold, three silver and 16 bronze.
