'It's a long year man'- Josh Kerr reflects on challenging season after defeat to Yared Nuguse & Jakob Ingebrigtsen

'It's a long year man'- Josh Kerr reflects on challenging season after defeat to Yared Nuguse & Jakob Ingebrigtsen

Festus Chuma 15:32 - 06.09.2024

Josh Kerr has mentioned the mental toll of competing at high levels after a challenging race at the Zürich Diamond League.

World 1500m champion Josh Kerr made his first post-Olympic appearance at the urich Diamond League facing a stellar line-up that included not only his arch-rival Jakob Ingebrigtsen but also Paris Olympic gold medalist Cole Hocker and bronze medalist Yared Nuguse.

Despite a season filled with highs, Kerr found the competition tough and finished fifth, a placement that did not meet his high standards.

The race in Zurich was fiercely competitive from the start, with Ingebrigtsen, fresh off breaking the 3000m world record, looking to dominate.

However, in a dramatic turn of events during the final moments, he was overtaken by Nuguse who clinched the win with a time of 3:29.21.

Ingebrigtsen secured second place with a time of 3:29.52, while Hocker took third, clocking in at 3:30.46. Kerr, with a time of 3:31.46, was unable to maintain the pace in the crucial last 200 meters.

"I don't know that was mentally very tiring. I don’t have a week-after-week time trial brain, so these races are kind of boring to me sometimes. You know getting up for it was one thing. I was excited to race, I’m in a good place, training’s been going well. You know if you see the first 1200m, I was in great shape but just couldn't close it down," Kerr explained, revealing the mental and physical toll the race took on him.

Further reflecting on his performance, Kerr shared his frustration about not being able to leverage his strong start into a podium finish.

"It took a lot of mental energy just to stay in it and I didn't have much left in the last 200m. This whole season I have ran world records and gold medals indoors, it's a long year man. It is tough to go week in week out and do the same thing," he added.

Last month, Kerr won a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, marking a significant milestone in his career.

His Olympic performance was a testament to his skill and determination, showcasing his ability to compete at the highest level against the world's best.

Celebrating this achievement, Kerr took to social media to express his gratitude for the support he received.

"As I celebrate the end of this incredible Olympic cycle, marked by my first major medal in 2021, I am deeply grateful for the unwavering support.

I’ve received from my family and friends throughout these championships. Their encouragement has been a cornerstone of my success, and I truly couldn’t have achieved this without them," Kerr posted on Instagram.