Josh Kerr and Jakob Ingebrigtsen 1500m showdown Budapest; first major meeting since 2023 world championships final

Josh Kerr and Jakob Ingebrigtsen set for 1500m showdown at World Athletics Ultimate Championship

The race represents the first time the pair have competed against each other at a major competition since 2023, when the Scot beat the Norwegian Olympic champion to win the world title.

One of athletics ’ most compelling rivalries will take centre stage in Budapest next month as world mile record-holder Josh Kerr and Jakob Ingebrigtsen go head-to-head in the men’s 1500m at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship.

It will represent their first meeting in a major competition since their 2023 clash in the world championships final, when the Scot beat the Norwegian Olympic champion to gold.

Ingebrigtsen comes into the race fresh off winning his seventh European Championships title in the 5000m in Birmingham, seven months after undergoing Achilles surgery in January.

Kerr, on the other hand, opted to skip the continental event after breaking the long-standing world mile record in July and instead prioritised the Commonwealth Games mile event, in which he took gold.

“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. Budapest gives me another opportunity to do that, and I’m coming to compete for the win,” said Kerr.

Other than Kerr and Ingebrigtsen, World Athletics also confirmed that world and Olympic gold medallist Gianmarco Tamberi has abeen added to the Ultimate Championship for the men’s high jump. The Italian won his fourth European Championships title in Birmingham.

Getty Images for World Athletics

Athletics | World Athletics Ultimate Championship | Budapest | Hungary