Home · Sports · Sep 12 archive
Ingebrigtsen Withdraws from 1500m, Putting Rivalry with Kerr on Hold
Confirmed
In Short: Jakob Ingebrigtsen has withdrawn from the 1500m at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship, leaving Josh Kerr to face a strong field without his main rival.
Jakob Ingebrigtsen, the two-time Olympic gold medallist, has withdrawn from the 1500m at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest, according to reports. This decision puts a hold on the eagerly anticipated reunion of Ingebrigtsen and rival Josh Kerr, who were set to compete in Sunday's event.
Ingebrigtsen, who had already secured victory in the 5000m at the event, had been vocal about his frustration with Kerr's absence from the European Championships. "Just looking back a short time ago, it is unbelievable that we have been able to get this far in 2026 and be here," Ingebrigtsen told BBC Sport, expressing his disappointment with Kerr's decision to miss the major competition.
Kerr, the 2023 world champion, has responded to Ingebrigtsen's criticism, stating that his absence was "great" for the event but acknowledging that Ingebrigtsen might face challenges as he continues to rebuild his fitness. The men's 1500m final will still feature a competitive field, including Cole Hocker, Isaac Nader, and Jake Wightman, among others.
Ingebrigtsen's withdrawal from the 1500m comes after he returned from an 11-month lay-off with a strong performance at the European Championships in Birmingham, where he defended his 5000m title. His decision not to compete in the shorter distance was made after a successful 5000m race on Friday night, where he won one of the $150,000 (£110,000) prizes at the inaugural Ultimate Championship.
The absence of Ingebrigtsen and Kerr's decision to miss the Europeans has sparked debate about the impact of such choices on the sport. Ingebrigtsen had previously branded his rivals "losers" and "a bunch of cowards," but he has also expressed that he feels "misunderstood" by his critics. Despite the controversy, the remaining competitors are ready to face a challenging race on Sunday.
What's confirmed
- Jakob Ingebrigtsen, the two-time Olympic gold medallist, has withdrawn from the 1500m at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest, according to reports. This decision puts a hold on the eagerly anticipated reunion of Ingebrigtsen and rival Josh Kerr, who were set to compete in Sunday's event.
- Ingebrigtsen, who had already secured victory in the 5000m at the event, had been vocal about his frustration with Kerr's absence from the European Championships. "Just looking back a short time ago, it is unbelievable that we have been able to get this far in 2026 and be here," Ingebrigtsen told BBC Sport, expressing his disappointment with Kerr's decision to miss the major competition.
- Kerr, the 2023 world champion, has responded to Ingebrigtsen's criticism, stating that his absence was "great" for the event but acknowledging that Ingebrigtsen might face challenges as he continues to rebuild his fitness. The men's 1500m final will still feature a competitive field, including Cole Hocker, Isaac Nader, and Jake Wightman, among others.
- Ingebrigtsen's withdrawal from the 1500m comes after he returned from an 11-month lay-off with a strong performance at the European Championships in Birmingham, where he defended his 5000m title. His decision not to compete in the shorter distance was made after a successful 5000m race on Friday night, where he won one of the $150,000 (£110,000) prizes at the inaugural Ultimate Championship.
- The absence of Ingebrigtsen and Kerr's decision to miss the Europeans has sparked debate about the impact of such choices on the sport. Ingebrigtsen had previously branded his rivals "losers" and "a bunch of cowards," but he has also expressed that he feels "misunderstood" by his critics. Despite the controversy, the remaining competitors are ready to face a challenging race on Sunday.
What's still developing
- The Norwegian double Olympic and world champion and Scottish mile world record holder Kerr were both given special exemptions to compete in Budapest but on Saturday Ingebrigtsen decided another race was one too many.