Jakob Ingebrigtsen suffers shock 1500m exit at World Championships in Tokyo

Jakob Ingebrigtsen, the Norwegian middle-distance star, was eliminated in the heats of the men's 1500 metres at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo after finishing eighth in his heat on Sunday.

The 24-year-old, a two-time Olympic and world champion, called his performance "terrible" and said he had "lost too much" during an injury-disrupted season that left him without a race for six months before the championships. "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," Ingebrigtsen told BBC Sport.

Britons Josh Kerr, Jake Wightman and Neil Gourley progressed from the heats, while France's Azeddine Habz and Kenyan teenager Phanuel Koech—two of the fastest 1500m runners this year—also failed to advance, further thinning the field of favourites. The men's 1500m semi-finals are scheduled for Monday at 13:30 BST, with the final set for Wednesday.

Ingebrigtsen began the year in strong form indoors, breaking the world indoor 1500m and mile records in the same race in February and taking 1500m and 3,000m golds at the World Indoor Championships a month later. However, an Achilles problem then curtailed his season and prevented him from competing for months. Speaking to Norwegian broadcaster NRK, he described that spell as "pitch dark" and said he had "taken the trip down to the injury cellar several times this spring."

Away from competition, Ingebrigtsen has faced family turmoil this year. His father, Gjert Ingebrigtsen, was cleared of abusing Jakob but was found guilty of violence against his daughter, Ingrid, at a separate trial earlier in the year.

Despite the setback in the 1500m, Ingebrigtsen is entered in the 5,000m heats on Friday and remains a leading contender in that event. He has won the past three global titles at 5,000m and said he felt better placed to compete over the longer distance given his current condition.

In Tokyo, Ingebrigtsen acknowledged the reality of his form but emphasized his desire to move forward. "Of course I'm disappointed but it's a reality check that it was never really going to happen. I was holding on for dear life because I love to compete," he said. "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."

Organisers and other athletes now turn their attention to the 1500m semis and the remainder of the championships, where the absence of several season pacesetters has reshaped expectations for medals and tactical races over the coming days.