How many times has Josh Kerr defeated Jakob Ingebrigtsen? A look at their rivalry ahead of the Paris Olympics

The Josh Kerr and Jakob Ingebrigtsen rivalry is heating up and promises to serve fans with an exciting battle at the Paris Olympics. So far in the duo's multiple clashes over various distances, Kerr has managed to get the better of his Norwegian rival exactly thrice.

Kerr and Ingebrigtsen’s rivalry is primarily centered over the 1500m where the latter is the current Olympic champion and Olympic record holder. Over this distance, the two have battled 14 times, starting with the 2016 IAAF U20 World Championships. Ingebrigtsen emerged victorious in that particular race, and that was the trend for their next four clashes.

The first time the Brit beat the reigning Olympic champion was in the semifinals of the 2022 World Athletics Championships, only for him to get outdone in the finals yet again.

After the Eugene World Athletics Championships finals, Ingebrigtsen beat Josh Kerr in another six consecutive races, including the heat and semifinals of the 2023 Budapest World Athletics Championships. The turning point came in the finals of the 2023 Championships, where Kerr stormed to gold in 3:29.38, while the Norwegian, finishing 0.27 seconds behind him, settled for silver.

Outside of their 14 clashes in the 1500m, Josh Kerr and Jakob Ingebrigtsen have raced each other thrice over other distances. The first of these three races was their face-off at the 23rd U20 European Cross Country Championships, where Ingebrigtsen finished first and Kerr finished 14th. Next was their 5000m battle in 2022, where yet again the Norwegian took gold while the Brit finished 20th.

Kerr and Ingebrigtsen's latest and most anticipated clash came when they both lined up for the storied Bowerman Mile at the 2024 Prefontaine Classic. Here, it was the 2023 World Champion who emerged victorious, clocking a 3:45.34 for the win. The Norwegian was right behind him, taking silver with a 3:45.60.

Josh Kerr vs Jakob Ingebrigtsen: Comparing the duo's personal bests ahead of the Paris Olympics

Comparing Josh Kerr and Jakob Ingebrigtsen's personal bests

The Josh Kerr vs Jakob Ingebrigtsen battle is one of the most hotly anticipated races of the Paris Olympics, and fans will be curious to see who emerges on top at the Stade De France when the time comes.

At the minute, Ingebrigtsen holds the upper hand between the two when it comes to personal bests. The fastest the Norwegian has run the 1500m is 3:26.73, which is good for a national record. He clocked this time at the Monaco Diamond League in early July, proving that he's at the top of his game ahead of the 2024 Olympics.

Meanwhile, Kerr’s personal best in the 1500m distance is 3:29.05 which he clocked in Tokyo in 2021. Interestingly, the Brit is yet to race the 1500m this year. So far in 2024, the reigning World Champion has raced in four events - the 800m, the mile, the indoor 3000m, and the indoor two miles.

In the 800m, he won the Oregon relays in April, before dealing with a fall in the finals of the UK Championships. In the mile, he won the Prefontaine Classic, and in the two miles, he was crowned champion at the Millrose Games. In the indoor 3000m, he took gold at both the Millrose Games as well as the World Indoor Championships.