Kiprop and Serem out to reclaim steeplechase title

Kenya's Peter Kithome (left) and Denis Novoseltsev Authorised Neutral Athlete in 400m hurdles at the World Athletics U20 Championships at the Moi International Sports Complex. Aug 18, 2021. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

After Soufiane el-Bakkali of Morocco won the 3,000-meter steeplechase gold medal to end more than 40 years of Kenyan Olympic dominance at the Tokyo Games, it signaled change in pecking order in the water and jumps event.

Signs were clear and obvious. There was a new sheriff in town and with that, it rattled the Kenyan brigade. But that was then.