Conseslus Kipruto, Leonard Bett and Kibiwott through to men's 3000m steeplechase finals as El Bakkali gets speedy start

Jul 15, 2022; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Soufiane El Bakkali (MAR) competes in the 3000 meter steeplechase heats during the World Athletics Championships Oregon 22 at Hayward Field. Mandatory Credit:USA TODAY Sports/ Reuters

Morocco's Olympic champion Soufiane El Bakkali got his bid for a first world title off to a strong start on Friday by producing the fastest time of the 3,000 metres steeplechase heats in Eugene, Oregon.

Trailing at the 2,000m mark, El Bakkali produced a late surge to come home in 8:16.65.