By Citius Mag Staff
June 30, 2023
Olympic 1500m champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen won the Lausanne Diamond League 1500m in a meet record of 3:28.72.
Here’s what you need to know:
– Coming into the race, this was billed as a showdown between Ingebrigtsen and steeplechase world record holder Lamecha Girma of Ethiopia. Both men broke world records this month at the Paris Diamond League. Ingebrigtsen ran 7:54.10 for two miles. Girma broke the steeplechase world record in 7:52.11.
– It was a close race but Ingebrigtsen accelerated in the final 200m to close in 26.8 (13.3 for the last 100m) to hold on for the win.
– Girma finished second in 3:29.51 to break the Ethiopian 1500m record. The previous record was 3:29.91 set by Aman Wote at the 2014 Monaco Diamond League.
– This marks the fourth time Ingebrigtsen has dipped under 3:29 in his career.
– Great Britain’s Josh Kerr finished third in 3:29.64, which is his fastest performance since his bronze medal finish at the Tokyo Olympics. His compatriot Elliot Giles finished right behind him and dropped his PB from 3:33.56 to 3:31.56.
What He Said After The Race
Jakob Ingebrigtsen: “A very good race. Great fight. It was a very good experience racing in Lausanne. A great crowd. A great stadium and a great city. An awesome time. It’s another great race. I’m looking forward to my next races and hoping to do good in Budapest.”
Ingebrigtsen added that he will not run the 5000m any time before the World Championships, where he will defend his title.
Our Take
“Ingebrigtsen’s ability to come into every race and execute the same plan without a glitch is so impressive. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an endurance athlete consistently at their best like him right now.
Every race is the same – a gradual build into the race over the first 200m. He never sprints all out off the line, every stride and surge is controlled to get the best out of himself over the whole race. He’s done it so many times now it’s just second nature.
We saw it again tonight with the turnover he has when he needs to put it down over the last 100m. Running at low-3:30 pace, it’s hard to see how anyone could come by him…which is mad because the event right now is absolutely stacked with phenomenal athletes.
Josh Kerr had another amazing run tonight for his second 1500m of the season. From the gun, he tucked nicely in behind Ingebrigtsen and gave himself the best change at a clear race, fast time, and a chance to take a hop off Ingebrigtsen.
No one can remain the best forever but right now there’s no reason to doubt Ingebrigtsen.” – David McCarthy
"t’s hard to believe I am saying this about a guy who just dominated another Diamond League and ran 3:28, but Jakob looked a bit more tired this evening. He’s been racing a lot — which we all love! After four historic races this month and six weeks to go still until Worlds he’ll likely be entering back into another big training block and come out an even bigger monster on the other side.
Lamecha Girma was a wild card coming into this and in just one week since we last saw him it was like he suddenly learned how to run the 1500. Fitness is fitness whether that’s over barriers or on flats. And Kerr should be very pleased with his trajectory right now — this was a healthy step in the right direction to medaling at Worlds." – Kyle Merber
Citius Mag Staff
