Josh Kerr 'overwhelmed' by 'insane' 1500m win, but Iwan Thomas not shocked that Jakob Ingebrigtsen 'buckled'
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Updated 24/08/2023 at 05:26 GMT
Great Britain's Josh Kerr produced a superb performance to win 1500m gold at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest ahead of Norway's Jakob Ingebrigtsen. Kerr said it was a moment that he had "dreamt" about, while Eurosport expert Iwan Thomas explained why he was not totally shocked by the result after Ingebrigtsen lost to Jake Wightman in similar style last year.
'They worked him out' - Why Thomas predicted Kerr's 1500m win over Ingebrigtsen
Josh Kerr said it was “insane” and “extremely overwhelming” after he stunned Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen to win 1500m gold at the World Athletics Championships.
Great Britain’s Kerr timed his run to perfection as he pulled away from Ingebrigtsen down the final stretch to claim victory.
Kerr's time of 3:29.38 was a season’s best as he crossed the line more than two tenths clear of Ingebrigtsen.
“It’s incredibly overwhelming,” Kerr told Eurosport.
“All I can say is I am thankful for everyone around me, my whole team, my parents, the brands who work with me, my family members. Today I put together a race that showed the commitment that they have shown me over the last 16 years, it’s extremely overwhelming.”
Asked what he was thinking when he realised he had the race won, Kerr added: “I dreamt about that moment for way too long.
“When something comes to fruition after that much time it’s insane.
“It’s homage to everyone that put the hard work in for me and all I am doing every day is working hard and making my legs hurt. That’s all I can do, and today I put in a performance to add to the medal tally for Great Britain.”
While it was delight for Kerr, it was heartbreak at the hands of a British runner again for Ingebrigtsen.
The 22-year-old was beaten by Brit Jake Wightman in similar circumstances at the World Championships last year.
Eurosport expert Iwan Thomas said he was not completely shocked that the same thing happened again to Ingebrigtsen.
“I thought one of two things would happen to Ingebrigtsen after the loss last year; either the exact same where he would get to 200m to go and the pressure would get to him, or I hoped he would have a bit more fight and think ‘Jake Wightman did this to me last year, I won’t be in the same position’.
"But he found himself in the exact same position and Josh knew how to beat him, they worked him out.
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'One of the great performances!' - Kerr stuns Ingebrigtsen to win 1500m gold
“Ingebrigtsen has been really good this year but once again we come to a World Championships and it doesn’t matter to this point, it matters now.
“Not taking anything away from Josh, he beat him fair and square, he took the race to him and knew exactly what to do, take the race to him, get on his shoulder with 200m to go and attack as Jake Wightman did 12 months ago.
“Some would say it’s unexpected, but I thought if someone could put Ingebrigtsen under pressure again then he will buckle because he can buckle.”
Reflecting on his race, Ingebrigtsen told Eurosport: “Today I was not the best in the field obviously, if I was I would have won.
“All credit to Kerr, but it was not my day.”
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