Kerr and Ingebrigtsen to renew 1,500m rivalry next month

Tokyo Games champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen is set to face off against British rival Josh Kerr at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship later this month. The two athletes have a history of fierce competition in the 1,500m, with Ingebrigtsen holding a notable lead in their head-to-head matchups. Despite their previous encounters, the pair have not raced each other over the distance since the Zurich Diamond League in 2024.

Kerr secured bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and gold at the 2023 World Championships, while Ingebrigtsen finished fourth at those same events. The two have exchanged jabs over the years, with Ingebrigtsen once claiming he could beat Kerr blindfolded, while Kerr has pointed out the Norwegian's perceived weaknesses. Earlier this month, Ingebrigtsen expressed his disappointment at Kerr's absence from the European Championships, suggesting the sport suffers when athletes skip major competitions.

Kerr himself has faced scrutiny for his recent choices, including breaking the mile world record in July and winning a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games, but skipping the European Championships to manage his workload. The September 11-13 Ultimate Championship in Budapest will feature a strong field, including American Hocker and world champion Isaac Nader of Portugal.