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Jakob Ingebrigtsen breaks European 1,500m record at Oslo Diamond League

Norwegian athletes shone and broke historic records on home soil at the Oslo Bislett Games

Jakob Ingebrigtsen Photo by: Kevin Morris
June 15, 2023
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Jakob Ingebrigtsen said he wanted to break the 1,500m meeting and Norwegian national record in front of his home crowd at the Oslo Diamond League, and that’s exactly what he accomplished–and more. On Thursday night, the 22-year-old dominated the men’s 1,500m from start to finish, crossing the line in a remarkable time of 3:27.95, setting a new European record. In doing so, he joined an elite group of six men who have gone under the 3:28 barrier.

Jakob Ingebrigtsen Paris DL
Ingebrigtsen set a two-mile world best at Paris DL. Photo: James Rhodes/@jrhodesathletics

Ingebrigtsen wasn’t the only Norwegian athlete who delivered a breakthrough performance on home soil. In the 400m hurdles, 2020 Olympic champion and world record holder Karsten Warholm made a stunning comeback, displaying his electrifying speed. He blazed through the race, setting a Diamond League record of 46.52 seconds, the fifth fastest time in history.

European record euphoria for Jakob

After his two-mile best performance at Paris Diamond League on June 9, all eyes were on Ingebrigtsen and what he could do over 1,500m in Oslo. Earlier in the week, he said the world record of 3:26.00 could or could not be in the cards, but he wanted to give it a shot and break the meeting record of 3:29.12 from 1998. The 2020 Olympic 1,500m champion got out to a quick start, reaching 800m in 1:51. As the bell rang for the final lap, Ingebrigtsen held off a surging Mohamed Katir and Yared Nuguse to win in 3:27.95.

Breaking the 3:28 barrier meant a lot for Ingebrigtsen, who jumped joyfully around Oslo’s Bislett Stadium for several minutes after winning. Katir finished second in a season’s best 3:28.89, just shy of his personal best of 3:28.76. Nuguse was third in a new North American record of 3:29.02, breaking Bernard Lagat’s previous record of 3:29.30, which had stood for 18 years. (Lagat holds a personal best of 3:26.34, but it was run before he became a U.S. citizen in 2005).

Diamond League record for Warholm

In his first outdoor race of the 2023 season, Warholm made a clear statement run in front of his home crowd. After missing the podium at the 2022 World Championships and battling with injuries, he ran a Diamond League record of 46.52 seconds, winning by over a second for the fifth-fastest time in history. Warholm surged out of the blocks and attacked the first 200m, developing a tremendous lead in his favourite lane, lane seven. When Warholm entered the final 100m, it was just him against the clock, breaking his former Diamond League record of 46.70 seconds in thrilling fashion. 

“It really sucked to be injured last year, and I wanted to make sure I came back with a big boom,” said Warholm. “I want a world gold medal this year [in Budapest in August]–that would be amazing to have again.”

Photo-finish 5,000m

The finish of the men’s 5,000m came down to the closest of margins. Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha and Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo tied for the sixth-fastest time in history, clocking 12:41.73, in a photo finish. Kejelcha made a move on Kiplimo with just over 400m to go, but Kiplimo managed to pull the Ethiopian in over the final 200m; in the end, it was determined that Kejelcha out-dipped Kiplimo by a hair to take the win and a meeting record.

Only four athletes have ever run faster than 12:41.73: world record holder Joshua Cheptegei, Ethiopian legends Kenenisa Bekele and Haile Gebrselassie, and Kenya’s Daniel Komen.

A season’s best for De Grasse

Young American phenom Erriyon Knighton continued his stellar run, taking the 200m win at Oslo Diamond League in a meeting record of 19.77 seconds. Canada’s Andre De Grasse had a rough start out of the blocks but battled back in the final 100m to take fifth in 20.33 seconds.

“I am pleased with this evening’s performance; to get a season’s best after injury means I am moving in the right direction,” said De Grasse to reporters post-race. “All I can do is get stronger every meet. I am healthy again, so I can keep improving. We are two months away from the World Championships, so I have time to get back, and I am taking it one day at a time.”

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