Ingebrigtsen and Kerr to Reignite 1,500m Rivalry at Inaugural Ultimate Championship

A highly anticipated rematch between Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen and world champion Josh Kerr is set to take place next month at the World Athletics' inaugural Ultimate Championship in Budapest.

Both Norwegian Ingebrigtsen and British runner Kerr have received exceptional invitations to compete in the 1,500m race at the September 11-13 event. The pair have a storied rivalry, marked by significant head-to-head encounters and notable victories. While Ingebrigtsen holds an overall advantage, Kerr famously beat him to win gold at the 2023 world championships.

Their rivalry has also been fueled by public exchanges. Ingebrigtsen once dismissed Kerr as "just the next guy," while Kerr has pointed out perceived weaknesses in the Norwegian's performance. Ingebrigtsen recently expressed disappointment over Kerr's absence from the European Championships, criticizing athletes who skip major competitions.

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I've made some choices this season that have created plenty of noise, but I've always wanted to prove myself in the biggest races, against the best in the world.

Kerr has had a strong season, breaking the mile world record in July and securing gold at the Commonwealth Games. He opted to skip the European Championships to manage his workload, stating, "I've made some choices this season that have created plenty of noise, but I've always wanted to prove myself in the biggest races, against the best in the world."

The Budapest meet's 1,500m field will also feature American Cole Hocker and Portugal's world champion Isaac Nader, promising a highly competitive race.

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just the next guy