Mzee Joseph Serem occupies a special place in local athletics circles. He has raised two sons - Amos and Edmund - who have gone on to win gold medal in men’s 3,000 metres steeplechase at the World Athletics Under-20 Championships, raising the family name to global recognition.
In 2021, Amos stormed to victory at the World Athletics Under-20 Championships held in Nairobi, reaffirming Kenya’s prowess in the steeplechase even in the junior category.
Three years later in 2024 while competing in Lima, Peru, his younger brother Edmund followed in his footsteps, reclaiming the title that Amos had won for Kenya but the country lost it to Ethiopia’s Samuel Duguna at the 2022 edition of the championships held in Cali, Colombia. He made Serem family and Kenya proud.
Kenya's Edmund Serem celebrates winning bronze medal in the men's 3000m steeplechase final during the World Athletics Championships at the National Stadium in Tokyo on September 15, 2025.
Photo credit: Reuters
This year at the 2025 World Athletics Championships held in Tokyo, Edmund, 18, won bronze medal in the distance in a race won by New Zealand’s Geordie Beamish, with Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali taking the silver medal.
In the days leading to the global championship, Edmund treated the world to more surprises. On August 28, 2025, just days to the world championships, Edmund finished second in the steeplechase at the Diamond League final in Zurich behind Germany’s Frederik Rupert.
Although he is yet to win a senior title, Amos, 23, has had his moments of fame. On September 14, 2024, he ended two-time Olympic champion Soufiane El Bakkali’s three-year winning streak to win his first men’s 3000m steeplechase Diamond League title at the Allianz Memorial van Damme – Wanda Diamond League Final in Brussels.
Edmund Serem (right) and his father Joseph Serem stretch on a barrier at their home in Illula Kabao Village, Uasin Gishu County on October 8, 2025.
Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group
Their performances give their father, John Serem immense pride.
His resilience, tough love for the sons, and sacrifice that started in 2012 is finally paying off.
He loved sports, and wanted all his eight children to be involved in athletics, but in the end, only three got interested - Amos, Sharon Jepchirchir, and Edmund. In the early years, he would wake them up at dawn, and ride with them on his motorcycle either to training sessions, or to competitions.
“I had an old motorcycle but in 2011, I bought a new one using the family’s savings and started accompanying my kids to various local races because I wanted them to gain experience and become world-beaters. I remember at one time we woke up at 2am and travelled for hours to Makutano in West Pokot County so that we could get there on time,” Joseph, from Ilula on the outskirts of Eldoret in Uasin Gishu County, said.
In the end, his daughter Sharon decided to study nursing at Loitokitok Medical Training College in Kajiado County, leaving Amos and Edmund to pursue sports.
He would wake up the two early in the morning and accompany them to their morning runs. Later, they would return home and get ready for school.
Edmund Serem (033) leads Mathew Koskey (080) in 3000m Steeplechase during Athletics Kenya World Under 20 Trials on June 28th 2024 at Nyayo National Stadium.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation
“Our training sessions were simple during weekdays but on Sundays, we would do hill work sessions. We would train in Kapsoya for long spells, and sometime the boys would be very tired. Only determination kept them going,” Joseph said.
Edmund, 18, pays special tribute to his father, saying that had his father not pushed them take up athletics at a young age, they wouldn’t have achieved the success they enjoy today.
His brother Amos picked up an injury earlier this season, locking him out of competitions.
World 3,000m Steeplechase Bronze Medalist Edmund Serem (righ) and his father Joseph Serem at their home in Illula Kabao Village, Uasin Gishu County on October 8, 2025.
Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group
“Had Amos been fit, we would have achieved a lot together. I thank our father for the success we enjoy today. He used to take us to local cross country races, and we would beat boys much older than us. We have always encouraged each other to do better in races and that way, we help each other to improve,” Edmund, who trains under Coach Patrick Sang at the Global Sports Communications stable says.
Amos and Edmund believe they can reclaim Kenya’s lost glory in steeplechase that started way back in 1968 when Amos Biwott won the first gold medal for the country at the Olympics.
