Edmund Serem at the Tokyo World Championships/ FILEWorld 3,000m steeplechase bronze medallist Edmund Serem believes his newfound global acclaim will serve as the perfect springboard for a dominant 2026 campaign on the track.
Serem was crowned the World Athletics Rising Star of the Year last weekend, capping a stellar 2025 season that showcased his grit, growth and unmistakable promise in the steeplechase.
The Rising Star award, introduced in 1998, honours the world’s best under-20 athlete.
This year, the 17-year-old Kenyan prodigy stood tallest after he edged out compatriot and world U20 1,500m record holder Phanuel Koech, along with Ethiopia’s Biniam Mehary, the U20 3,000m short-track record holder.
Buoyed by the global recognition, Serem is confident the coming season holds even greater potential.
He knows he will have to put in the work to ensure his trajectory in the steeplechase continues to grow.
“I hope 2026 will be an even brighter year for me. I will work hard for that,” he told the Star.
2026 is a packed calendar year for Kenyan track athletes with competitive championships including the Commonwealth Games, African Championships and the highlight of the year, the inaugural World Ultimate Championship.
The teenage water-and-barrier sensation first burst into the continental spotlight at the 2024 African Championships in Douala, Cameroon, where he powered to silver in 8:21.94.
He trailed Uganda’s Leonard Chemutai, who struck gold in 8:21.30, with Kenyan teammate Mathew Kosgei sealing bronze in 8:21.98.
That continental silver only sharpened his hunger. Two months later, Serem stormed to his first global title, clinching the World U20 steeplechase crown in Lima, Peru, clocking a world-leading 8:15.28. He led home Kosgei (8:17.46), with Ethiopia’s Hailu Ayalew (8:24.08) taking third.
The 2025 season marked Serem’s seamless transition into senior competition, highlighted by a bold debut on the Diamond League circuit. His campaign began on a tough note on April 26 in Xiamen, where he settled for fourth in 8:08.50.
But the teenager quickly found his rhythm. A week later in Shanghai, he surged back to take second in 8:08.68 behind Ethiopia’s Abrham Sime (8:07.92). His strong form continued in Rabat on May 25, where he clocked 8:07.47 for third behind Moroccan maestro Soufiane El Bakkali (8:00.70) and Germany’s Frederik Ruppert (8:01.49).
On May 31, roared on by home fans at the Kip Keino Classic, Serem claimed a commanding victory in 8:27.68. He returned to the Diamond League fray on July 11 in Monaco, slicing his lifetime best down to 8:04.00 to finish third. El Bakkali (8:03.18) and Japan’s Ryuji Miura (8:03.43) only narrowly kept him at bay.
At the Diamond League Final in Zurich on August 28, Serem once again showcased his championship mettle, finishing second in 8:09.96, marginally behind Germany’s Ruppert (8:09.02).
he pinnacle of his breakout season arrived in September at the Tokyo World Championships, where the young Kenyan announced his arrival among the world’s elite.
Battling through a tactical final, Serem claimed his maiden senior global medal, clocking 8:34.56 for bronze behind Australian Geordie Beamish (8:33.88) and El Bakkali (8:33.95).
