'I'm not a robot' - Kerr fires back before facing Ingebrigtsen again

Great Britain's Josh Kerr says he is glad to see Jakob Ingebrigtsen return to competition, but has made clear he has no intention of losing when the pair renew their rivalry at this weekend's World Athletics Ultimate Championship.

Their long-running exchange of barbs flared up again recently after Ingebrigtsen criticised Kerr for skipping last month's European Championships, where the Norwegian marked his comeback from a lengthy injury layoff by winning 5,000m gold.

The men's 1500m in Budapest carries extra tension after Ingebrigtsen branded his rivals a "bunch of cowards" following last week's Diamond League Final. Speaking ahead of the championship, Kerr avoided directly addressing Ingebrigtsen's remarks but acknowledged their rivalry would inject extra energy into the event.

The 28-year-old said he was genuinely happy to see Ingebrigtsen back, calling him one of the greatest 1500m and 5,000m runners ever, while stressing he has no plans to lose to him. Kerr also suggested Ingebrigtsen may struggle initially given the demands of championship racing so soon after a long-term injury.

The two last raced each other at the Zurich Diamond League in September 2024, where Ingebrigtsen finished second and Kerr fifth. Their rivalry has become one of athletics' most captivating storylines in recent years, with Ingebrigtsen winning Olympic gold five years ago and Kerr claiming the world title in 2023.

Kerr explained that his season strategy involves targeting only a handful of major events each year to avoid injury and maintain consistency, rather than racing constantly. He said he is human, not a robot, and that a long career requires careful selection of competitions.

Both athletes received special invitations to the Ultimate Championship after failing to qualify through their limited racing schedules this year. Anticipation has grown further given other 1500m competitors' desire to test themselves against both stars.