Tokyo : In a stunning conclusion to the men’s 1500m final at the World Athletics Championships 2025 in Tokyo, Yassin Nader surged past British rivals Jake Wightman and Josh Kerr to claim the world title, but the race’s pivotal moment was a cruel injury that dashed Kerr’s hopes for back-to-back golds.
Josh Kerr, the reigning champion and defending titleholder, started strongly and was heavily favored, leading up to the final despite a season marked by intense rivalries and high-profile absences, including Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen. However, midway through the penultimate lap, drama struck: Kerr suffered what appeared to be an achilles injury. Witnesses described how he began to limp noticeably, rapidly losing position just as the pace quickened for the closing stretch.
This unexpected blow left Kerr unable to defend his crown, and Jake Wightman, his compatriot, moved into medal contention. Nader seized the opportunity, launching a perfectly timed final sprint to overtake Wightman at the line and secure gold. Kerr, hobbling, finished well back—his Olympic and world hopes undone in a single moment of bad luck and misfortune.
After the race, there was visible concern for Kerr’s condition. Medical personnel attended to the British star, whose achilles injury not only cost him a potential repeat world title but could impact his future aspirations at the highest level. The incident capped a championship defined by unpredictability—a reminder that in athletics, glory and heartbreak are often just seconds apart.
- Josh Kerr suffered a suspected achilles injury during the men’s 1500m final at the World Athletics Championships, forcing him out of medal contention while Yassin Nader claimed the gold.
- At the National Stadium, Tokyo, on September 17.
- The incident occurred on the penultimate lap of the men’s 1500m final, late in the championship schedule.
Who was involved? osh Kerr (defending champion), Jake Wightman (British teammate), Yassin Nader (gold medalist), and other contenders.
Why did it happen? Kerr’s injury—likely a sudden achilles issue—struck unexpectedly, disabling his ability to compete in the critical closing moments.
How did the race conclude? Nader won with a late surge; Wightman took silver, and Kerr limped in after the injury, with medical care needed immediately after.
Kerr’s misfortune became the defining moment of the 2025 World Athletics Championships men’s 1500m—a gripping reminder of the knife-edge demanded by elite sport.
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