This high-level competition will take place in Japan’s capital, bringing together more than 2,000 athletes from around the world to compete for global titles. Morocco has selected its best representatives, covering a wide range of events from middle-distance and sprints to hurdles and the marathon.
Among the men are iconic names such as Soufiane El Bakkali, two-time world champion in the 3,000m steeplechase, and marathon specialist Mohamed Reda El Aaraby. They will be joined by rising talents including Anass Essayi, Salaheddine Ben Yazide, and Hafid Rizqy.
On the women’s side, Fatima Ezzahra Gardadi, bronze medalist in the marathon at Budapest 2023, is a major asset. Assia Raziki, Soukaina Hajji, and Noura Ennadi complete a highly competitive squad.
The Moroccan delegation spans a wide range of ages, from the oldest, Souad Kabouchia, at 43, to the youngest, Bahiya El Arfaoui, at 20. Together, they carry the weight of a rich tradition, with Morocco having already secured 33 world medals.
Over 19 previous editions of the World Athletics Championships, Morocco has won a total of 33 medals: 12 gold, 12 silver, and 9 bronze.
Since the first edition in Helsinki in 1983, Morocco has only missed the podium in four editions: Stuttgart (1993), Berlin (2009), Daegu (2011), and Moscow (2013).
The 1999 edition in Seville remains the most prolific for Moroccan athletics, with five medals: two gold (Hicham El Guerrouj in the 1,500m and Salah Hissou in the 5,000m), two silver (Nezha Bidouane in the 400m hurdles and Zahra Ouaaziz in the 5,000m), and one bronze (Ali Ezzine in the 3,000m steeplechase). Morocco ranked fifth in the medal table that year.
Morocco excelled in 1997, 1999, 2001, and 2003, winning two gold medals in each edition. In 1987, 2005, and 2022, Said Aouita (5,000m), Jawad Gharib (marathon), and Soufiane El Bakkali (3,000m steeplechase) each claimed gold.
Hicham El Guerrouj, world and Olympic champion, is Morocco’s most decorated athlete at the World Championships, with six medals: four gold in the 1,500m and two silver (one in the 1,500m and one in the 5,000m). Soufiane El Bakkali, two-time world champion in the 3,000m steeplechase, becomes Morocco’s second most decorated athlete with four medals (2 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze), surpassing Nezha Bidouane, who won two golds (400m hurdles, 1997 and 2001) and one silver (1999).
Said Aouita made history in 1983 as the first Arab athlete to win a medal at the World Championships in the 1,500m. Hicham El Guerrouj continued the legacy, dominating the same event with four golds between 1997 and 2003. He also won two Olympic golds in Athens in 2004 (1,500m and 5,000m), solidifying Morocco’s position among the world’s top athletics nations.
For the 20th World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Morocco will be represented by 20 athletes (14 men and 6 women). Double world and Olympic champion Soufiane El Bakkali, competing in the 3,000m steeplechase, will aim for his third world title.
Morocco’s Medal Record at Previous World Championships:
- 1983 (Helsinki): Said Aouita – Bronze, 1,500m
- 1987 (Rome): Said Aouita – Gold, 5,000m
- 1991 (Tokyo): Brahim Boutayeb – Bronze, 5,000m; Khalid Sekkah – Bronze, 10,000m
- 1993 (Stuttgart): None
- 1995 (Gothenburg): Hicham El Guerrouj – Silver, 1,500m; Khalid Sekkah – Silver, 10,000m; Khalid Boulami – Silver, 5,000m; Zahra Ouaaziz – Bronze, 5,000m
- 1997 (Athens): Hicham El Guerrouj – Gold, 1,500m; Nezha Bidouane – Gold, 400m hurdles; Khalid Boulami – Silver, 5,000m; Salah Hissou – Bronze, 10,000m
- 1999 (Seville): Hicham El Guerrouj – Gold, 1,500m; Salah Hissou – Gold, 5,000m; Nezha Bidouane – Silver, 400m hurdles; Zahra Ouaaziz – Silver, 5,000m; Ali Ezzine – Bronze, 3,000m steeplechase
- 2001 (Edmonton): Nezha Bidouane – Gold, 400m hurdles; Hicham El Guerrouj – Gold, 1,500m; Ali Ezzine – Silver, 3,000m steeplechase
- 2003 (Paris): Jaouad Gharib – Gold, Marathon; Hicham El Guerrouj – Gold, 1,500m; Hicham El Guerrouj – Silver, 5,000m
- 2005 (Helsinki): Jaouad Gharib – Gold, Marathon; Hasna Benhassi – Silver, 800m; Adil Kaouch – Silver, 1,500m
- 2007 (Osaka): Hasna Benhassi – Silver, 800m
- 2009 (Berlin): None
- 2011 (Daegu): None
- 2013 (Moscow): None
- 2015 (Beijing): Abdelaati Iguider – Bronze, 1,500m
- 2017 (London): Soufiane El Bakkali – Silver, 3,000m steeplechase
- 2019 (Doha): Soufiane El Bakkali – Bronze, 3,000m steeplechase
- 2022 (Eugene): Soufiane El Bakkali – Gold, 3,000m steeplechase
- 2023 (Budapest): Soufiane El Bakkali – Gold, 3,000m steeplechase; Fatima Ezzahra Gardadi – Bronze, Women’s Marathon
Editorial team/le7tv