Josh Kerr of Britain caused a major upset at the World Championships by defeating the favorite, Jakob Ingebrigtsen, in the men’s 1500m final. This victory mirrored last year’s final, where Ingebrigtsen was also outkicked by a British athlete, Jake Wightman. Kerr made his move with 200 meters to go, just like Wightman did in 2022. Despite Ingebrigtsen’s impressive season and his status as the fourth-fastest man in history, Kerr managed to stay ahead and clinch the gold medal with a time of 3:29.38. Ingebrigtsen settled for silver, finishing in 3:29.65, while Norwegian Narve Gilje Nordas took the bronze in 3:29.68.
Kerr expressed his joy and pride in his performance, stating that it had been a long time coming. He acknowledged that he didn’t feel like he ran his best race but gave his all in the final 200 meters. Kerr attributed his success to meticulous planning, including nutrition, sleep, training, and race reviews. He believed that he had left no stone unturned in his preparation and felt that winning the gold medal was the best he could have done. Kerr also mentioned that he had closely observed Wightman’s tactics in a previous race and replicated them successfully.
Ingebrigtsen admitted that he was not in great physical shape and couldn’t respond when Kerr made his move. He mentioned feeling dry in his throat, which had worsened in the last two days. Despite his disappointment, Ingebrigtsen acknowledged Kerr’s strong performance and credited him for having a good race. He reflected on last year’s experience, where he bounced back from a setback to win the 5,000m gold medal. Ingebrigtsen confirmed that he would defend his title in the same event on the final night of the championships.
Overall, Kerr’s victory over Ingebrigtsen in the men’s 1500m final was a surprising turn of events. Kerr’s meticulous planning and execution, along with Ingebrigtsen’s physical struggles, contributed to this unexpected outcome. Both athletes displayed sportsmanship and respect for each other’s performances.
