Jakob Ingebrigtsen pulls out of Ultimate Championships 1500m

Jakob Ingebrigtsen won gold in the 5000m in the World Athletics Ultimate Championship. | Photo Credit: AP

Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Britain’s Josh Kerr will not clash in the World Athletics Ultimate Championship 1500m race after the former withdrew on Saturday.

The two-time Olympic gold medalist had initially indicated he would take part in the race after taking home gold in the 5000m, but has been forced to withdraw in keeping with his recovery from Achilles surgery in February.

“Unfortunately I’m not in a position to go in back-to-back races,” he said.

ALSO READ: Duplantis pips Karalis to win pole vault title at World Athletics Ultimate Championships 2026

“I would love for it to be different, and to be sharper in terms of recovery, but coming from a very difficult last two years with injury problems and achilles surgery I am forced to be more sensible than I would like to be.

“Ultimately, it is about getting back into racing, getting back to 100% fitness, and thinking about 2027.

“Just looking back a short time ago, it is unbelievable that we have been able to get this far in 2026 and be able to be here.”