Olympic Champion Ingebrigtsen Exits Early 1500m Heats at World Championships Tokyo

Jakob Ingebrigtsen, the reigning Olympic 1500m champion, was shockingly eliminated in the first round of the 1500 meters at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, finishing eighth in his heat. Plagued by an Achilles injury that sidelined him for the entire outdoor season, Ingebrigtsen admitted it was a disappointing reality check and acknowledged he was not at his best for this highly competitive event. The heat was won by Jake Wightman, who narrowly defeated Ingebrigtsen for the world title in 2022, while defending champion Josh Kerr comfortably advanced to the semifinals. Other top contenders, including France's Azeddine Habz and Kenya's Phanuel Kipkosgei Koech, also failed to progress, marking a dramatic opening round for the men's 1500m. Despite the setback, Ingebrigtsen remains optimistic about his chances in the 5000 meters, where he is the reigning world and Olympic champion, with the heats scheduled for later in the week. The competition highlights the depth and unpredictability of the event, as several favorites fell early amid intense rivalry and physical challenges.