Confident Kerr aims to beat Jakob in gold rush

SCOTLAND’S Josh Kerr insists Jakob Ingebrigtsen is not invincible as he takes on the hot favourite for world championship gold in the men’s 1500 metres final in Oregon tonight. Kerr and Edinburgh AC club-mate Jake Wightman both have podium aspirations for tonight’s race, with the former emboldened by defeating the Norwegian gold medallist in yesterday’s semi-finals. The 24-year-old won in 3:36.92 with Ingebrigtsen and Tokyo silver medallist Timothy Cheruiyot behind him — but Glaswegian Neil Gourley missed out on the final by onehundredth of a second in sixth. ‘It was very enjoyable,’ said Kerr, who took bronze in Tokyo. ‘I was very patient and made strong and smart decisions.’ Wightman was third in the other semi in 3:34.48 to earn a shot at bettering his fifth place in Doha in 2019. But Ingebrigtsen will be the man to beat in the final. Kerr added: ‘I could beat him last year as well, because anyone can have a bad day. I look at his world indoors — he came second and claimed he’s got Covid despite running well. ‘You can be under the weather, have food poisoning, a bad night’s sleep, get tripped up anything can happen in a 1500, or any race, really. If I don’t have the expectation of going in and trying to win, then why am I there?’ Gourley revealed his build-up was wrecked after he tested positive for Covid last Monday. ‘I felt ill and it was the worst possible timing,’ said the Glaswegian. ‘I had to isolate for five days but then I came here and almost made a final, so I’m proud of myself.’ Wightman, 28, senses he has hit a formidable prime. Results this season, including victory at the British Championships, underscore the strides taken since his tenth place in the Olympic final. ‘A fourth-place finish would be something I’d be pretty disappointed with,’ he said.