Jakob Ingebrigtsen eliminated in shock 1500m exit at World Championships
Norwegian described his run as "terrible" after finishing eighth in his heat in Tokyo; will contest 5,000m later in the week
Jakob Ingebrigtsen described his performance as "terrible" after a shock exit from the men's 1500 metres heats at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on Sunday, finishing eighth in his heat and failing to progress.
The 24-year-old, a two-time Olympic and world champion, had been widely expected to challenge for the outdoor 1500m title — the only major international outdoor 1500m gold missing from his collection — but said an injury-disrupted season and a six-month absence from competition left him short of the form required. "The race itself was perfect, especially how it turned out, it was gifted to me. Unfortunately I have lost too much and I have not been able to prepare," he told BBC Sport. "I was terrible. Of course I'm disappointed but it's a reality check that it was never really going to happen."
Britain advanced a strong trio to the semi-finals, with Josh Kerr, Jake Wightman and Neil Gourley all progressing, while notable exits included France's Azeddine Habz and Kenyan teenager Phanuel Koech, who had been among the fastest in the 1500m this year. The semi-finals are scheduled for Monday at 13:30 BST, with the final set for Wednesday.
Ingebrigtsen's season has been hampered by an Achilles problem that prevented him from racing for six months prior to the championships. He said the prolonged layoff had taken a toll: "I've been glued to the floor unfortunately. I've not been able to do what is needed, clearly. I just have to look forward." He told Norwegian broadcaster NRK that he had taken "the trip down to the injury cellar several times this spring. It has been pitch dark there."
Away from the track, Ingebrigtsen has also endured personal challenges this year. The trial of his father, Gjert Ingebrigtsen, concluded earlier in the season; Gjert was cleared of abusing Jakob but was found guilty of violence against his daughter, Ingrid.
Despite the disappointment in the 1500m, Ingebrigtsen is scheduled to compete in the 5,000m heats on Friday, an event in which he has won the past three global titles. He indicated he feels better placed to contend in that event this week.
Ingebrigtsen opened the year with strong indoor form, breaking the world indoor 1500m and mile records in the same race in February and claiming 1500m and 3,000m golds at the World Indoor Championships the following month. However, the subsequent Achilles issue curtailed his outdoor season and left him without race sharpness heading into Tokyo.
He said he continued to value competition despite the setbacks. "I was holding on for dear life because I love to compete," he said. The Norwegian's focus will now shift to the 5,000m, where he seeks to add to his collection of global titles after the setback in the 1500m heats.