Josh Kerr and Jakob Ingebrigtsen are set to renew their fierce rivalry in the 1500m at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest, Hungary.
Norwegian star Ingebrigtsen stoked the fire between the pair last month when he suggested Kerr was "ruining" the sport after the Scotsman decided to skip the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham.
Ingebrigtsen did congratulate Kerr on achieving the mile world record, which he achieved at the London Diamond League meeting at the end of July, but it was more of a backhanded compliment from the two-time world champion, who added he "could never" prioritise a time over a title.
Ingebrigtsen marked his long-awaited return from an Achilles injury by storming to 5000m gold at the Europeans, and he was back to his controversial best following last week's Diamond League finals as he accused his rivals of being a "bunch of cowards" and took aim at the tactics of Olympic champion Cole Hocker.
Cameron Myers emerged victorious in the Brussels Diamond League showpiece, and the 20-year-old Australian arrives in Hungary full of confidence following an excellent breakthrough season.
Kerr is the favourite to win the men's 1500m despite not having raced the distance yet this year.
However, the 2023 world champion and Olympic silver medallist does hold the world-leading time in the 1500m, which he set on his way to the mile world record.
Ingebrigtsen is entered into both the 5000m and 1500m, and he is unlikely to pass up on an opportunity to feature in the latter. The Norwegian has finished fourth twice and fifth once over the distance since returning from injury.
In a stacked field, Hocker will be aiming to restore himself at the top of the pile following a disappointing performance in Brussels, while Kenya’s Phanuel Kipkosgei Koech is another contender after finishing runner-up to Myers in the Diamond League final.
2025 world champion Isaac Nader also features alongside USA duo Ethan Strand and Yared Nuguse, while Briton Jake Wightman will be aiming to cause an upset.
Ultimate Championship Men's 1500m Odds
(Odds will display when markets are available).
