Jakob Ingebrigtsen Exits Early 1500m World Athletics Championships Tokyo

Jakob Ingebrigtsen, the two-time Olympic champion, suffered a shock exit in the 1500m heats at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, finishing eighth and failing to advance to the semi-finals. This was largely attributed to an injury-disrupted season, including an Achilles issue that kept him from racing for six months prior to the championships, leaving him unprepared for the highly competitive event. Despite describing his performance as "terrible" and a "reality check," Ingebrigtsen expressed his determination to compete in the 5000m race later in the week, where he is the reigning world and Olympic champion. Meanwhile, British runners Josh Kerr, Jake Wightman, and Neil Gourley progressed to the semi-finals, benefiting from the exit of other top competitors such as France's Azeddine Habz and Kenyan teenager Phanuel Koech. Ingebrigtsen acknowledged the high level of competition and his current limitations, emphasizing his resilience and intent to focus on upcoming races. The 1500m semi-finals and final will proceed without the Norwegian star, highlighting a significant shift in the event's dynamics.