World 3000m steeplechase bronze medalist Edmund Serem and Phanuel Kosgei are among the three finalists for the 2025 men’s Rising star award, which will recognize this year’s best U20 athlete at the World Athletics Awards 2025.
The 18-year-old Kosgei was in scintillating form this year after setting a new world U20 record in the 1500m (3:27.72) during the Paris Diamond League, becoming the fastest junior over the distance.
He also claimed victory at the London Diamond League that year.
Kosgei also made his debut at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in September in the
1500m, although he did not qualify for the semi-final.
At only 17, Serem also had a bountiful season this year, culminating with a bronze medal win in his first World Athletics senior appearance in Tokyo two months ago.
Before then the 2024 world U 20 champion opened the personal with a fastest time in 3000msc ( 8:08.50 ),in Xiamen Diamond League in April before improving it to 8:07.47, when he finished 3rd at the Rabat Diamond League in May.
Serem later bagged his first Kip Keino Classic Continental Tour title at the Ulinzi Sports Complex and posted a new personal best of 8:04.00, when he placed third and concluded his 1st Diamond League season senior appearance with a 2nd finish at the final Diamond League.
The two Kenyans will battle for the award against Biniam Mehary from Ethiopia, who finished 5th in the 5000m final at the World Athletics Championships.
The winner of the 2025 of the award will be announced on November 30.
