Jakob Ingebrigtsen seeks elusive 1,500m world c’ship gold after injury-plagued season

TOKYO – Jakob Ingebrigtsen might have hoped it would be third time lucky in his quest for a 1,500 metres world title in Tokyo, but he arrives rusty after having been laid low by an Achilles injury this season.

The Norwegian returns to Tokyo where he won 1,500m Olympic gold in 2021, but he has yet to stand on the top step of the podium in the event at an outdoor World Championships.

Twice, he has been denied gold by Britons – Jake Wightman in 2022 and Josh Kerr in 2023 – and suffered the crushing disappointment of losing his Olympic title in 2024, finishing fourth.

Heats for the 1,500m are set for Sept 14, with semi-finals on Sept 15 and the final scheduled on Sept 17.

Aside from his injury woes, Ingebrigtsen has also had to cope with the stress of a court case brought against his father Gjert in 2025, whom he and his sister Ingrid accused of violence, threats and manipulative behaviour.

It resulted in the 59-year-old being cleared on all but one charge of assaulting Ingrid.

However, it is the battle with injury that has taken a toll on Ingebrigtsen. “I have taken the trip down to the injury cellar several times this spring, it has been pitch dark there,” the 24-year-old said.

“This is more or less the worst-case scenario for me because I have had to sit home and watch the whole season go by.”

Ingebrigtsen admits his preparation has been “unconventional” as he also seeks to win a third successive 5,000m title, but it is asking a lot to prevail in an event loaded with top talent.

His bitter rival Kerr is back to defend his title, having competed in the failed Grand Slam Series, winning in Miami and Philadelphia.

Kerr, who makes up an all-Scottish trio in the event with Wightman and world indoor silver medallist Neil Gourley, and Ingebrigtsen’s dislike of each other arguably cost them the Olympic title.

They battled each other on the final lap and American outsider Cole Hocker, who had yet to beat the duo in 14 races, stole through to take the title, Kerr’s fastest ever time only good enough for silver.

“No, we don’t get along,” Kerr told the BBC. “Then again, I’m not here to have lots of friends from different places. I’m here to bring medals back to the UK.”

The 27-year-old certainly is talking up his chances, saying he is “here to win” and was “feeling very confident”.

Hocker will also be present, but once again he arrives with a far-from-impressive form guide – he has not won a 1,500m race since his golden moment at Paris 2024.

However, like Ingebrigtsen, he is attempting a double in Tokyo.

He won the 5,000m at the US trials and, while he says he still has detractors claiming he was a fluke winner, he is confident he can make them eat humble pie.

The 24-year-old made a bold prediction that the Ingebrigtsen/Kerr days of dominating the event are over. “It’s definitely a new era,” he said. “It could be a little bit different this year.”

Hocker was himself beaten by an outsider in the US Trials, Jonah Koech taking the tape and declaring he was only 75 per cent fit.

But Wightman, 31, is keeping expectations low after injuries.

If Koech were to go on and win the title, he would emulate fellow Kenya-born Bernard Lagat, who was crowned world champion for the US in 2007 in Osaka.

The 28-year-old, who earlier in 2025 in Rabat shaved a massive six seconds off his personal best in the event, says for him the outcome is very open.

“Everyone is beatable. I’m beatable, so everyone’s beatable.”

Meanwhile, in the evening session on Sept 13, Olympic champion and world-record holder Beatrice Chebet won the women’s 10,000m to claim her first world title.

The Kenyan clocked 30min 37.61sec to complete the first leg of what she hopes will be a 5,000m-10,000m double in Tokyo to match her feat in Paris.

The United States convincingly won the 4x400m mixed relay for the third time in the event’s four world championship outings, gaining some measure of revenge on the Netherlands who beat them at the Games.

Ryan Crouser completed an incredible world championship shot put hat-trick to match his three Olympic golds. AFP, REUTERS