Jakob Ingebrigtsen, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, has decided not to compete in the 1500m final at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship, which is being held in Budapest. This means his highly anticipated match-up against rival Josh Kerr has been postponed. Ingebrigtsen had previously won the men’s 5,000m final at the inaugural edition of the event on Friday night. However, after returning to competition last month following an 11-month injury lay-off that included surgery on his Achilles tendon, the 25-year-old Norwegian has opted to focus on recovery and rebuilding his fitness rather than compete in Sunday’s 1500m final. In a video shared on Instagram, Ingebrigtsen explained that he is not in a condition to run back-to-back races and emphasized the importance of focusing on his health after a challenging period with injuries. Ingebrigtsen had reignited his rivalry with Kerr after winning the European 5,000m gold in his first race since the World Championships in September 2025. He had previously criticized Kerr for missing the European Championships, suggesting that such absences were "ruining" the sport. Kerr responded by calling Ingebrigtsen's return "great" but noted that he could "foresee some struggling" for his rival as he continues to rebuild his fitness. This exchange highlights the competitive tension between the two athletes, who are among the top names in middle-distance running. Ingebrigtsen also addressed recent comments that led to criticism, stating he believed he had been "misunderstood." He defended his remarks, which included calling his rivals "losers" and "a bunch of cowards," as necessary for open dialogue and communication in the sport. He added that if his comments created conflict, it was not his responsibility. These statements reflect a broader debate in athletics about the role of athletes in speaking out and the impact of such public criticism on the sport. The 1500m final will still feature a strong field, including Olympic champion Cole Hocker, world champion Isaac Nader, and 2022 world champion Jake Wightman. Ingebrigtsen’s decision not to compete in the 1500m comes after he successfully defended his European 5,000m title in Birmingham and won a $150,000 prize at the Ultimate Championship. The World Athletics Ultimate Championship continues in Budapest, with other athletes, such as Great Britain's Keely Hodgkinson and Matthew Hudson-Smith, aiming to compete for the sport's newest global prize.