There was no happy return to Tokyo’s Japan National Stadium for Jakob Ingebrigtsen on Sunday (14 September) as the Olympic champion from four years ago was eliminated at the first round in the men’s 1500m of the 2025 World Athletics Championships.
Running in the last of four heats and needing a top-six finish to move on to the semi-finals, the Norwegian — making his outdoor season debut after struggling with fitness and injury concerns this year — was unable to find the final kick he needed down the last straight.
He crossed the line eighth in his heat in 3:37.84, nearly a full second behind heat winner (and the man who pipped him to 2022 world gold) Jake Wightman (3:36.90).
Also out from that heat was Kenya’s world under-20 record holder (pending ratification) Phanuel Kipkosgei Koech. Koech went down on the last lap following contact and could only cross the line 12th, but the referees adjudged it to be a racing incident and did not advance him to the next round.
Earlier, the double Diamond League race winner Azeddine Habz of France missed out by eight-hundredths in the first heat.
The Frenchman was caught off-guard by the late push towards the line and was unable to respond, seeing his challenge end early.
Norway’s Narve Gilje Nordås was the fastest qualifier for the semis in 3:35.90, with defending world champion Josh Kerr (3:35.98) and reigning Olympic champion Cole Hocker (3:41.88) also through safely.