Josh Kerr says he took first World Athletics Indoor Championship gold for granted after reclaiming 'very special' crown in Poland
Updated 21/03/2026 at 22:49 GMT
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Josh Kerr is a two-time world indoor champion after he came out on top in the 3000m in Poland. Kerr's triumph secured Britain's first medal of the weekend. The double Olympic medalist said that it felt particularly special after a 2025 beset by injury and illness and the 28-year-old now believes that he took his first indoor triumph at Glasgow 2024 for granted.
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Josh Kerr said that he took his 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships gold medal for granted after winning back his 3000m crown before hailing his mum for nursing him back from injury.
Kerr claimed Britain's first medal of the championships after finishing in 7:35.56 ahead of his big rival Cole Hocker in second and France's Yann Schrub in third.
The 28-year-old, who suffered a calf tear at the 2025 World Athletics Championships, said it felt special to come out on top for a second time indoors and third time overall on the world stage.
”Today was very special, I took it for granted a couple of years ago," he said.
"Obviously winning in front of a home crowd I thought there is nothing that can top it.
"But the relief of getting another win and being back on top is very special for me right now.
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"I have a lot of family here to support, and I owe it to them, and I ran the last 400m with passion."
Kerr hobbled home in 14th place in Tokyo last autumn having torn his calf early in the final. The Brit believes that he has conquered his demons after getting back in a speed suit.
"Last time I was in a speed suit was a few months ago, where I dragged my leg across the line. Today, a lot of demons were cracked, a resilient story for me today.
"Whenever I put on a national vest, no one else can prove what I can do apart from me. It’s hard to wrap your head around it at times, but you just have to believe in yourself."
Kerr went on to credit his physiotherapist mum, Jill, for helping him back to fitness after last year's injury, describing his triumph as a "family win" because his speedy recovery was "all down" to her.
"I trust my coaching staff and my family, today’s performance shows them that their hard work doesn’t go unnoticed too," he said.
Kerr cruised into the lead at the bell and held off the challenge of Hocker, whom he was outkicked by in the 1500m at the Paris Olympics, to win the gold.
He said that he was not delighted with his performance despite securing his second world indoor title.
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"I think I created the problems myself tonight. For people watching, that is not how you win a gold medal," Kerr told BBC Sport.
"I knew that I had to get that close right or else I would be having a pretty tough conversation with my coach tonight.
"I got in my own head about trying to not waste any energy and there were some moves in there that made me show my hand a little bit.
"I was just trying to relax in the chaos and trust that I'm fitter and better than the other guys."
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