Jakob Ingebrigtsen Makes Candid Confession After Disappointing Worlds Campaign

The Norwegian runner reflects on a challenging World Championships season, sharing emotional insights about struggle, resilience, and his determination to return stronger.

Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen has opened up about the emotions and challenges he faced after a difficult outing at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. 

The Norwegian distance-running star, who entered the championships as one of the biggest names in the sport, failed to qualify for the finals in the men’s 1500m and finished 10th in the 5000m final.

However, the 24-year-old revealed that he had been struggling both physically and mentally throughout the event. His 2025 outdoor season had already been marred by injuries, forcing him to skip all other races leading up to the World Championships.

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Despite that, he chose to compete on the global stage rather than sit out the season entirely.

Speaking candidly in his latest YouTube video, Ingebrigtsen shared how competing while not being at his best tested his mindset and motivation. 

"It's very much the same, just experience, but also nice to realize that you really have to do a lot of work to be able to have a top level and be consistent, running fast. I think most people would stay home, and I think that's for me; that's an issue, but for everybody else, that's what they expected. That's what everybody else would've done," he said as first quotes by SportsKeeda.

Facing Fear and Finding Perspective

Ingebrigtsen revealed that his biggest fear is not losing—it is failing to perform to his potential. 

"I am not afraid to lose, I'm more afraid of not doing my best. On Sunday, that was definitely a realisation of fear; I was having such a bad day, and I was not able to do what I thought I should've done," he said.

The comments highlight a more introspective side of Ingebrigtsen, who has often been portrayed as supremely confident and unflinching under pressure. 

Despite his disappointing results, he expressed pride in stepping up to compete rather than withdrawing from the championships altogether. His decision to race through adversity reflects his resilience and deep love for competition.

Gratitude and Determination for a Comeback

Following the event, Ingebrigtsen took to Instagram to share a heartfelt message with his fans, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to race on the world stage and for the support he received throughout a difficult season.

"Go big or go home! 🇳🇴🙌 The only thing worse than finishing 10th would have been watching the World Championships happen from home. I run because I love competition, and I will never miss an opportunity to test myself against the best. Thank you to everyone for the support these past few challenging months," he wrote.

Ingebrigtsen’s post underscored his positive outlook and determination to bounce back stronger in the upcoming season. 

Despite 2025 may not have gone according to plan, the Norwegian champion’s openness and humility have earned him even greater respect among fans and fellow athletes.