World mile record-holder Josh Kerr and his rival Jakob Ingebrigtsen are poised for a 1500m showdown at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest this September. Both athletes received exceptional invitations to the event.
Their last 1500m encounter was in September 2024 in Zurich. Ingebrigtsen recently returned from an 11-month layoff to claim victory in the 5,000m at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham.
Kerr stated, “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.”
The competitive field will also feature reigning Olympic champion Cole Hocker, who previously surprised both Kerr and Ingebrigtsen at Paris 2024, and Isaac Nader, who secured gold at last year's World Championships. World and Olympic gold medallist Gianmarco Tamberi is also confirmed to compete in the men’s high jump.