World Championships bronze medallist Abraham Kibiwott on Monday evening led debutants Amos Serem and Simon Kiprop into the men’s 3000m steeplechase final at the Paris Olympics.

Serem sneaked into the final through an appeal after the African Games silver medallist and 2021 world U20 champion was pushed by one of his opponents and miscalculated the water barrier forcing him to turn back and jump again as the rest of the runners bolted towards the final lap.

The youngster then hard-charged towards the leading pack and eventually finished sixth in 8:18.41 to miss in the first five automatic qualifying places but was handed a lifeline after a successful appeal.

The heat was won by hot-favourite and reigning champion Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco, who has claimed two world title wins since his triumph in Tokyo.

Kibiwott placed third in the second heat (8:12.02) to sail through as Morocco’s Mohammed Tindouft ran a personal best time of 8:10.62 to ease through as the winner.

African Games bronze medallist Kiprop ensured all the Kenyans were in the final after he placed fourth in the final heat, timing 8:24.95.

Kenya will be eyeing to reclaim their steeplechase glory that was ended by El Bakkali in Tokyo.

Kenya has won a record 11 Olympic gold medals in this event and the trio hope to add another medal to that haul in the final set for Wednesday.