he broke the moroccan national record in rabat on 23 may 2009: his jump of 8.38 metres at the meeting mohammed vi d' athlétisme beat younés moudrik's record which had stood for almost nine years. he improved this to 8.40 m at the 2009 jeux de la francophonie in beirut – a mark which won him the gold medal and a games record. at the iaaf grand prix in zagreb on 31 august 2008 he tested positive for cannabis and was subsequently handed a public reprimand. he performed less well in 2010, failing to pass the eight-metre mark, but cleared 8.37 m in july 2011 in barcelona. he went on to finish fourth at the 2011 world championships in athletics.