Hicham Akankam (born 4 April 1998), also known as Hicham Akenkam or Akankam Hicham, is a Moroccan middle- and long distance runner specializing in the 1500 metres. He was the 2023 Moroccan Athletics Championships winner, and he has represented Morocco in a variety of disciplines including while winning a gold medal at the 2023 Francophone Games.
Akankam (left) in the 1500 m at the 2023 World Championships | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nationality | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 4 April 1998 (26 years, 232 days old)[1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Athletics | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Event(s) | 3000 metres 2000 metres | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Achievements and titles | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| National finals |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal bests | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Updated on 15 January 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Biography
editAkankam first gained international experience at the 2015 World U18 Championships, where he finished 7th in his 1500 m heat. Akankam did not make the finals, and the performance of Arabs at the championships was said to be a disappointment with only two medals and seven finalists.[2]
Akankam again represented Morocco at the 2017 IAAF World Cross Country Championships in the U20 men's race, finishing 21st as the first Moroccan across the line as well as the first non-East African.[3] During the outdoor season Akankam qualified for the African U20 Championships with an unusual double – the 1500 m and the 4 × 400 m relay, traditionally a sprint event. He finished 4th in the 1500 m to just miss the medals, but he got redemption in the 4 × 400 m, winning the bronze medal as second leg for the Moroccan team.[4]
Akankam achieved one of his best results at the 2019 Meeting International Mohammed VI d'Athlétisme de Rabat, finishing 2nd in the non-Diamond League international 1500 m behind Vincent Kibet in a 3:35.85 personal best.[5] Akankam lost the race in a sprint finish.[6] Akankam entered in the 1500 m at the African Games, but he finished 6th in his heat and did not advance to the finals.[1]
In 2020 and 2021, Akankam only raced domestically. But 2022 saw a resurgence during the indoor season, with Akankam running 7:44.61 3000 m personal best to qualify him for the World Indoor Championships. Finishing 5th in his heat, Akankam was the fastest non-qualifier for the finals.[1] At the 2022 African Championships in Athletics, Akankam won his first senior international medal with a bronze in the 5000 m, the first non-East African finisher behind Daniel Ebenyo and winner Hailemariyam Amare.[1] By virtue of his season, he qualified for the 5000 m at the World Championships, where he finished 17th in his heat and did not advance to the finals.[7]
Akankam won a silver medal in the 1500 m at the 2023 Arab Athletics Championships, followed by winning his first national title at the 2023 Moroccan Athletics Championships.[1] At the 2023 Francophone Games, Akankam competed in both the 1500 m and 5000 m, winning gold in the 1500 m ahead of his countryman Hafid Rizky.[8][9] Akankam followed up this performance with a silver medal in the 5000 m the next day.[10] Akankam ended his season with another World Athletics Championships appearance, this time in the 1500 m where he finished 9th in his heat and did not advance.[1]
Statistics
editBest performances
edit| Event | Mark | Place | Competition | Venue | Date | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3000 metres | 7:44.61 sh | 5th | Meeting Metz Moselle Athlelor | Metz, France | 12 February 2022 | [1] |
| 2000 metres | 5:00.51 sh | 6th | Meeting Hauts-de-France Pas-de-Calais | Liévin, France | 17 February 2022 | [1] |
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h Hicham Akankam at Tilastopaja (registration required)
- ^ Bouhouche, M. (21 July 2015). "Bouhouche Blog: Les pays arabes au championnat du monde cadet d'athlétisme : Cali - Colombie:16-20/07/2015". Bouhouche Blog. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
- ^ "Juniors find going tough as Uganda savour first ever x-country gold". The Standard. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
- ^ "African u20 championships (junior), Tlemcen (Algeria) 29/06 – 02/07/2017 | Africathle". 3 December 2022. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
- ^ "Moroccan champion, Rabab Arafi breaks the national record of the 1500m". IDL Diamond League. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
- ^ Lagat, Justin (17 June 2019). "2019 Rabat DL Diary: Getnet Wale and Chala Beyo make it 1-2 for Ethiopians in the men's 3000m Steeplechase at the Rabat Di". runblogrun. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
- ^ Hollobaugh, Jeff. "World Champs Men's 5000 — Ingebrigtsen Bounces Back". Track & Field News. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
- ^ FAAPA. "Francophonie Games: Morocco Wins 6 Medals in Athletics and 4 in Judo – FAAPA ENG". Retrieved 24 January 2024.
- ^ "Romania enjoy table tennis clean sweep at Francophone Games". www.insidethegames.biz. 3 August 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
- ^ "IXèmes Jeux de la Francophonie – Le judo et l'athlétisme Alvin Marie et Cheryl Marie quittent la compétition après deux ipponschacun". www.nation.sc (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 24 January 2024.