Ingebrigtsen withdraws from Budapest 1500m after winning 5,000m title

Jakob Ingebrigtsen has withdrawn from Sunday's 1500m final at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest, BBC Sport reported. The Norwegian's decision comes after his victory in Friday's 5,000m final and means he will not face Josh Kerr in their first race against each other for two years.

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Ingebrigtsen, 25, explained in an Instagram video that his recovery was not yet sufficient to race again so soon. He returned to competition last month after an 11-month absence that included Achilles surgery. Rather than attempt the double, he said his priorities were rebuilding full fitness and preparing for 2027. He did not announce a new injury.

His withdrawal follows a successful opening night on the track. In its report on Friday's competition, BBC Sport said Ingebrigtsen accelerated away in the home straight to win the 5,000m in 12 minutes 59.24 seconds. American Cole Hocker, the Olympic 1500m champion, finished behind him. The result added another victory to a comeback that had already brought European 5,000m gold a month earlier.

The championship is being held for the first time, with competition compressed into three days. Friday's programme included eight finals across three hours, and winners included Ingebrigtsen, high jumper Yaroslava Mahuchikh and hurdler Masai Russell. The event has a total prize fund of $10 million, giving the new competition a significant financial dimension alongside its condensed schedule.

Armand Duplantis also won on Friday, securing the pole vault title and $150,000 in prize money. He could not clear 6.32m in his attempt to set another world record. BBC Sport reported a sell-out crowd exceeding 20,000 for the opening session, which featured a black infield, light shows and on-screen projections of athletes' chances and finishing positions.

Ingebrigtsen's absence removes one major contender from the 1500m, but several global champions remain in the field. BBC Sport listed Kerr, Hocker, reigning world champion Isaac Nader and 2022 world champion Jake Wightman among Sunday's entrants, alongside Olympic bronze medallist Yared Nuguse. For Ingebrigtsen, the Budapest visit ends with a 5,000m title rather than a second final.