One of the fiercest rivalries in global track and field will be centre stage at the Wanda Diamond League meeting in London in July, as world champion Josh Kerr takes on reigning Diamond League champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen in the men's 1500m.
Ingebrigtsen has dominated the 1500m in recent years, claiming the Olympic title in Tokyo in 2021 and the Diamond League title in each of the last three seasons.
The Norwegian heads into the 2025 season looking to build on the 3000m world record he set at the Silesia Diamond League last season and win his first world title over 1500m.
“I love to race, and the London Diamond League is a perfect fit for my schedule. I’ve recovered well from the indoors and training is going well. I’ve never been afraid to show up and it felt good to come away from the World and European Indoor Championships with four gold medals," said Ingebrigtsen. "My focus is now on the summer and returning to Tokyo - where I won my Olympic title in 2021 - to win global gold. Competing in London is a crucial part of my build, and I know the atmosphere will be incredible.”
Kerr is also one of the best middle-distance of his runners of his generation, and sparked a longstanding rivalry with Ingebrigtsen when he beat him at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest in 2023.
The British star will face the Norwegian on home soil for the first time in London, in a year in which he is hoping to defend his world title and claim a first ever Diamond Trophy.
Kerr said: “I’ve never shied away from the fact that I’m trying to be the best 1500m runner of our era, and that means winning more titles and running faster times than everyone else. None of it comes easy and we’re all working hard to achieve our goals. For me, that includes racing a bit more this summer, but my goal for the year is simple; I want to defend my world title in Tokyo and everything I do between now and then, including lining up at the London Athletics Meet, is focused on achieving that goal.”
The Wanda Diamond League is the elite one-day meeting series in global athletics. It comprises 15 of the most prestigious events in global track and field. Athletes compete for points at the 14 series meetings in a bid to qualify for the two-day Wanda Diamond League Final, which will be held in Zurich on 27 and 28 August 2025.
