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Men’s 1500m at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025 delivered one of the most shocking moments of the tournament so far, as Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen was dramatically eliminated alongside two other top contenders during the semi-finals. The Norwegian, who returned to the same stadium where he clinched Olympic glory four years ago, was left disappointed after failing to advance.
Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s unexpected early exit
Running in the final of four heats, Ingebrigtsen needed a top-six finish to secure qualification. Despite showing flashes of his trademark strength, he lacked the finishing kick down the final straight. Crossing the line in eighth with a time of 3:37.84, he finished almost a full second behind heat winner Jake Wightman (3:36.90), the same rival who denied him gold at the 2022 World Championships.
Speaking candidly after the race, the 24-year-old admitted it was a tough pill to swallow. “It’s a first-time experience that I haven’t got to the next round,” Jakob Ingebrigtsen said. “Of course, it’s very disappointing but at the same time it is a reality check. This is an event that’s very competitive. You need to prepare your best and of course, I’m not there.”
Other big names bow out
Ingebrigtsen was not the only high-profile athlete to see his campaign cut short. Kenya’s Phanuel Kipkosgei Koech, the world under-20 record holder (pending ratification), went down after contact on the final lap and finished 12th. Officials reviewed the incident but deemed it a racing clash, meaning Koech was not advanced to the next round.
France’s Azeddine Habz, a double Diamond League winner, also missed out on a semi-final berth. Competing in the first heat, Habz lost crucial ground during a late sprint to the line, ultimately falling short by a razor-thin margin of just 0.08 seconds.
Eyes turn to the favourites
While Jakob Ingebrigtsen, Koech, and Habz crashed out, other major contenders progressed comfortably. Norway’s Narve Gilje Nordas set the pace with the fastest qualifying time of 3:35.90. Defending world champion Josh Kerr (3:35.98) and reigning Olympic champion Cole Hocker (3:41.88) also advanced without trouble, setting the stage for a blockbuster final.
For Ingebrigtsen, the focus now shifts to the 5000m. “I think I’m probably closer for the 5000m race right now. I’ll recover and have a couple of good days until I go again and try again. Everything is a test,” he reflected.
The Norwegian star may have stumbled in the 1500m, but his determination to bounce back highlights why he remains one of the sport’s most compelling figures.
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