Edmund Serem/ FILE
World 3,000m steeplechase bronze medallist Edmund Serem is looking to carry his strong momentum from last weekend's National Championships into a standout performance at Sunday's Paris Diamond League.
The 18-year-old rising star will make his third Diamond League appearance of the season as he continues to establish himself among the world's elite steeplechasers.
Serem opened his 2026 Diamond League campaign in Rabat on May 31, narrowly missing the podium with a fourth-place finish in 8:01.61. That race was won by Moroccan superstar Soufiane El Bakkali in 7:57.25, followed by Germany's Frederik Ruppert (7:57.80) and Kenya's Simon Koech (7:59.44).
Serem's next outing was on June 7 in Oslo, where he secured second place in 8:12.27, just behind El Bakkali, who won in 8:10.40. Most recently, Serem finished second at the National Championships in 8:20.37 behind Koech, who claimed the national title in 8:16.59.
For Serem, the domestic event served as a tactical preparation for Paris.
"I was using the national championships to gauge my shape for the Paris Diamond League and see where I stand," Serem said.
To secure a podium finish in the French capital, the youngster plans to refine his technique and consult with his coach.
"I will work on my barrier clearance before Paris, as well as my speed. We will also have a chat with my coach so that we can identify the areas I need to improve before my race in Paris."
In Paris, Serem will face Germany's Ruppert and Ethiopia's Samuel Firewu, alongside fellow Kenyan competitors Wilberforce Kones and 2024 Olympic bronze medallist Abraham Kibiwot.
Having already qualified for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, Serem outlines his upcoming schedule: "After Paris, I will head to Monaco before coming back to prepare for the Commonwealth Games."
He aims to win the event and defend Kenya's Commonwealth steeplechase title, which was won by Kibiwot at the 2022 Games in Birmingham.
"I am glad I was able to qualify for the Commonwealth Games. The target is to win the Commonwealth title and add it to the other titles I have already won," he added.
Serem's career has seen steady international progression.
He won gold at the 2024 World U20 Championships in Lima, Peru, with a time of 8:15.28, and secured silver at the African Championships that same year in 8:21.94, finishing just behind Uganda's Leonard Chemutai (8:21.30).
Last year, he earned a World Championships bronze medal in Tokyo, clocking 8:34.56 behind New Zealand's Geordie Beamish (8:33.88) and El Bakkali (8:33.95).
