Jakob Ingebrigtsen made history by completing a double gold-medal triumph in the European Championships last season in the 1,500m and 5,000m at the age of just 17.
The Norwegian has now set his sights on matching his achievements at the World Championships in Doha at the end of the year, although the level of competition will rise decreasing the teenager’s margin for error on the track.
Ingebrigtsen won the two events in Berlin in back-to-back days, highlighting his incredible stamina along with his ability at such at a young age. He is more than capable of winning twice on the bounce on the world stage even though the odds will be against him.
The now 18-year-old is backed to notch two gold medals in his two events but he will be required to put forward flawless performances, operating at an even higher standard than his races at the Olympic Stadium.
Kenya’s Elijah Manangoi holds the 1,500m world crown, while Ethiopia’s Muktar Edris won the 5,000m in the last competition in 2017. Both runners remain in their prime of their careers in their mid-twenties and will be determined to prove a point by holding off the upstart. Ingebrigtsen’s brothers have a high level of pedigree and will be eyeing a victory over their younger sibling. Henrik was beaten twice in the European Championship, while Filip suffered a loss in the 1,500m in Berlin.
Although Jakob has always enjoyed the ultimate success, standing on top of the podium more often than not, he did have to settle for silver and bronze in the World Junior Championships.
In Finland, before the European Championships, the Norwegian finished narrowly behind Kenya’s George Manangoi – just losing out down the stretch in the 1,500m as his rival had the speed when it mattered the most. Another Kenyan got the best of him in the 5,000m as Edward Zakayo took first place and, on this occasion, Ingebrigtsen took the bronze even though he was able to break a junior European record in the process.
After his slightly disappointing experience in Finland, Ingebrigtsen was ready for the challenge of the European Championships, beginning with the 1,500m. He qualified for the final without breaking a sweat, posting the fifth-fastest time behind Jake Wightman, Charlie Grice and Marcin Lewandowski.
Source: iaaforg via Twitter
Wightman and Lewandowski would be his rivals for the crown in the main event, although he set his stall out to control the race from the off. The Pole made a late surge down the stretch to try to beat him on the line but Ingebrigtsen had just enough to dip to claim the gold.
Jakob was in action the following day in the 5,000m, although, on this occasion, he had his brother Henrik for company throughout the race. However, the younger sibling had the kick entering the home straight and was able to pull away to win the gold by a second.
The 18-year-old has a proven pedigree on the European stage but, whether he can raise the level of his game against the rest of the world is another matter. The runners from Africa at his age level have already triumphed over the Norwegian, while he will face a lot of experienced runners in Doha. It will take a special effort from the teenager to triumph in Doha.
Speak Your Mind