Josh Kerr Limps Out in Shocking Mid-Race Exit From 1500M Final at World Athletics

“I have my work cut out for me, but I feel pretty confident,” said former 1500m World Champion Josh Kerr, just a day before the Worlds finals. The 27-year-old was certain he would retain his title: “We’re getting places. I would say it’s among the most confident I’ve gone into a world final. But each championship brings its own kind of challenges and fun, and I’ll keep doing what I can to show up and medal and go after the gold.” Gold seemed within reach, yet, as philosophers remind us, the world can be cruel. Despite his best efforts, a sudden injury in the finals has halted his progression.

So, what actually went down? At the start of the race, Josh Kerr got caught in the middle of the pack. By the 700m mark, he started fading, and a little after 800m, viewers could see him limping. Shocked, the commentator expressed, “Oh my word, Josh Kerr in all sorts of trouble.” Speculation from the commentators began immediately: had he clipped heels with another runner? Did he turn his ankle on the infield? Whatever it was, it was clear things weren’t right.

By the bell lap, Timothy Cheruiyot had surged to the front, while Kerr was stuck at the back. Around 1200m, Kerr almost came to a stop. But instead of stepping off, he dug deep, pushed through the pain, and crossed the line in 4:11.23, finishing fourteenth. It wasn’t about the result. It was about the mindset. Kerr looked like a champion refusing to give up, even in the face of adversity. Some said, he evoked memories of Derek Redmond at the Barcelona 1992 Olympics, the British athlete who finished the race despite being injured halfway through it.

Later, it was confirmed that Josh Kerr had suffered a sudden calf injury mid-race. And in the end, it was Isaac Nader who stormed to men’s 1500m gold at the World Athletics Championships in 3:34.10, edging Jake Wightman by just 0.02 seconds as he clocked 3:34.12. For Josh Kerr, the night took a painful turn, yet not one that tainted his career. Finishing the race despite injury, knowing victory was out of reach, only highlighted his relentless mindset. Talking about the incident, BBC Sport commentator and 1984 Olympic silver medallist Steve Cram stated, “There was nothing there for him.” 

He further added, “I can only think he has something coming into it. There was something amiss early on but he’s not going to let people know he might have been carrying something. I’d be surprised if it was something that just happened during the race because he wasn’t in the right position so it might just have been playing on his mind. I just thought in the semis, that it wasn’t all there for him but it’s such a shame because Josh was in good shape.”

It was a tough day for the defending champion, but a milestone moment for Jake Wightman as he secured Britain’s first medal of the 2025 World Athletics Championships, with Josh Kerr himself stepping in to offer congratulations.

Jake Wightman secured silver for Great Britain in Josh Kerr’s absence from the podium

It was quite a redemption for Jake Wightman, the 2022 world champion, who returned to the big stage after years hampered by injury and missed opportunities. In a dramatic 1500m final, the 31-year-old emptied the tank, collapsing at the line before the big screen confirmed Portugal’s Isaac Nader had snatched gold by just 0.02 seconds. Yet, for Wightman, the silver felt every bit like gold, Britain’s long-awaited first medal of the championships and a personal triumph after his arduous journey back. “It will take a while to process this. I’m a big believer that you get what you put in at some point,” said Wightman.

He further added, “I’m just very, very happy that all the persistence has been well worth it,” Wightman told BBC Sport. I felt like I had another gear through the rounds. All I’d said was that I would hit the front at some point. I did not know what would happen and I nearly got there. For me this is a gold. Just getting on the start line at a championship final is a gold. I went into it with a bit of freedom that whatever would happen, happens.”

In a show of sportsmanship, Josh Kerr was quick to congratulate Jake Wightman after he clinched silver for Great Britain & Northern Ireland in the men’s 1500m. It was a sad day for Josh Kerr, but for Great Britain, it got its medal as well as moral support from the fans.