Commonwealth Games champion Abraham Kibiwott Wednesday settled for bronze to lift Kenya’s medal tally to five as late surge by Soufiane El Bakkali saw the Moroccan become the first man to successfully defend the Olympic 3000m steeplechase title since Volmari Iso-Hollo achieved the feat in 1928 and 1932.

Kibiwott, bronze medallist from last year’s World Championships, improved his 10th place finish in Tokyo timing a season best time of 8:06.47 for bronze.

Other Kenya’s representatives Simon Koech (8:09.26) and Amos Serem (8:19.74) finished seventh and 14th respectively. Kibiwott dedicated the bronze medal to his six-day old daughter –as of August 7.

“I wanted the gold medal but we fell short. I’m picking many positives because I finished 10th in Tokyo and now I’m on the podium. It is a big achievement to me and I dedicate the medal to my daughter who we welcomed just six days ago.

“We were blessed with her just a few days before coming to Paris and so this Olympics is all about her.”

El Bakkali timed 8min 06.05sec to thwart Kenyans’ plan of reclaiming the water and barrier event dominance they relinquished in Tokyo, with American Kenneth Rooks surprising in the final straight sprinting to silver in a personal best time of 8:06.41.