Gold medalist Jake Wightman of Britain celebrates during the men's 1500m awarding ceremony at the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 in Eugene, Oregon, the United States, July 19, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)
EUGENE, United States, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Britain's Jake Wightman took a shock win in the men's 1,500 meters at the World Athletics Championships here on Tuesday.
The 28-year-old, who had never won a major title before, pulled away from Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen of Norway with half a lap to go, crossing the finish line first in three minutes 29.23 seconds.
His result tops the world list this season and beat his former personal best of 3:29.47.
Ingebrigtsen finished second in 3:29.47 and Spain's Mohamed Katir third in 3:29.90.
"I felt strong with 200m and felt I had a good chance," Wightman said. "Very very small chance it happens, but it actually happened. That is just crazy."
Wightman's previous best result in major events was a fifth finish three years ago at the Doha world championships. He was stopped at the semifinals of last year's Tokyo Olympic Games.
Ingebrigtsen, who became the second youngest Olympic winner in the event at 20, was disappointed.
"I felt good but I made some mistakes," he said. "I am very disappointed by not winning. But I'm very happy for him. He is a great runner. It's an honor to get a medal of course, but I always run for gold." ■
Gold medalist Jake Wightman of Britain kisses his medal during the men's 1500m awarding ceremony at the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 in Eugene, Oregon, the United States, July 19, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)
Gold medalist Jake Wightman (C) of Britain, silver medalist Jakob Ingebrigtsen (L) of Norway and bronze medalist Mohamed Katir of Spain attend the men's 1500m awarding ceremony at the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 in Eugene, Oregon, the United States, July 19, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)
Alison Dos Santos of Brazil sprints during the men's 400m hurdles final at the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 in Eugene, Oregon, the United States, July 19, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)
China's Xie Zhenye (R) competes with Aaron Brown of Canada during the men's 200m semifinal at the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 in Eugene, Oregon, the United States, July 19, 2022. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)
Gold medalist Eleanor Patterson (C) of Australia, silver medalist Yaroslava Mahuchikh (L) of Ukraine and bronze medalist Elena Vallortigara of Italy attend the women's high jump awarding ceremony at the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 in Eugene, Oregon, the United States, July 19, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)
Gold medalist Eleanor Patterson of Australia poses for photos during the women's high jump awarding ceremony at the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 in Eugene, Oregon, the United States, July 19, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)
Kristiina Halonen of Finland, Mo Jiadie of China, Melissa Gonzalez of Colombia and Sarah Carli of Australia (L-R) compete during the women's 400m hurdles heats at the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 in Eugene, Oregon, the United States, July 19, 2022. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)
Mo Jiadie of China competes during the women's 400m hurdles heats at the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 in Eugene, Oregon, the United States, July 19, 2022. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)
