“It’s my title”: Kerr sizes up his 1500m rivals
Now, with the target firmly on his back, Kerr is chasing something even rarer than a world title, consistency at the top, and he’s well aware of exactly what kind of gauntlet lies ahead.
The men’s 1500m is one of the deepest, most unpredictable events in track and field, and this year’s race will be no exception. From Olympic champions to breakout stars, the event is stacked with talent and ambition, and never fails to deliver surprises. But the reigning world champion isn’t backing down.
One of the biggest names still looming in the 1500m conversation is Ingebrigtsen.
The Norwegian star has long been one of the event’s most dominant figures, boasting the Olympic title from Tokyo 2020, the European crown, and the indoor mile and 1500m world records. Yet, the outdoor world title has continued to elude him. He and Kerr haven’t met since the dramatic final at Paris 2024, where Kerr took silver and Ingebrigtsen missed the podium entirely. Their rivalry is far from settled, but in today’s stacked field, it’s only one of many storylines to watch.
“I think it’s smart that he didn’t sign up [for Grand Slam Track], to be honest,” Kerr told Citius Mag podcast referencing the new elite track event series introduced in 2025 that featured the sport’s biggest stars, such as Kerr, in head-to-head competition. “Like in any non-paced race he hasn’t won in the last couple of years… It’s gonna expose kind of most of his tactical stuff.”
Then there’s the rise of the American contingent.
Cole Hocker, described by Kerr as a “tough competitor”, holds the Olympic title while Yared Nuguse, the bronze medallist in Paris and a ferocious racer with seemingly endless strength, has become one of Kerr’s most frequent and formidable opponents.
“What I’ve learned from Yared really is… the guy just will not turn up to a race not ready to win,” Kerr said. “He’s always just kicking about… It’s very difficult to drop him. You kind of have to out-strength him.”
The British delegation is strong, too, with the likes of the 2022 world champion Jake Wightman, plus Neil Gourley, and Elliot Giles also in the mix. Still, Kerr isn’t losing sleep over domestic rivals, or over hype around fast times and records.
“These kind of June, July times don’t really bother me in any way, unless they’re world records,” said the Scot. “It’s still difficult to even have one medal. So you just take everything with a grain of salt and make sure you’re ready to go when the time comes.”
And while he’ll be watching the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at the end of July – which doubles as the world trials – with interest, he’s also fully focused on his own lane.
“At the end of the day, if you don’t believe in yourself, then no one is going to believe in you. So. I mean, it’s my title. If anyone wants to come talk…, I’m here for you… I truly believe I’m still the front runner for it just because, track record, to be honest.”