Beamish Shocks El Bakkali to Win Steeplechase Gold; Moroccan Champion Overcome with Emotion

Defending two-time champion Morocco's Soufiane El Bakkali broke down in inconsolable tears and collapsed to the track after New Zealand's Geordie Beamish produced a sensational late surge to snatch gold in the men's 3,000m steeplechase at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on Monday.

Beamish timed his sprint to perfection, weaving through a packed field before drawing level with the Moroccan—the reigning two-time world champion and double Olympic gold medallist—and edging him at the line to claim a dramatic victory. Beamish, who had fallen in the heats but recovered to qualify, crossed the line in 8:33.88, ending the reign of the two-time world champion and double Olympic gold medalist. Kenya's Edmund Serem claimed bronze in 8:34.56.