Josh Kerr concluded a remarkable season by winning the inaugural Ultimate Championship 1500m title in Budapest, earning $150,000. The 28-year-old solidified his status as one of the sport's elite performers, adding this significant victory to his earlier achievements in 2024.
Kerr's dominant performance saw him overtake American rival Yared Nuguse on the back straight to secure the win with a time of three minutes 29.35 seconds. "I am a major championship guy and I will always say that," Kerr stated after the race. He described his approach to peak performance, noting that he sometimes steps away from his routine to find deeper motivation.
The Ultimate Championship, a new global event designed by World Athletics, features top athletes competing for a substantial prize fund. Kerr, who is also the reigning world champion and previously set a world record in the mile at the London Diamond League, received an exceptional invitation to the championship. This event marked the culmination of his season, which also included a Commonwealth Games gold medal and reclaiming the world indoor 3,000m title.
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The championship offered a total prize fund of $10 million, with the aim of shaping the future of athletics. Despite an anticipated reunion with rival Jakob Ingebrigtsen, the Norwegian withdrew from the event following his 5,000m victory on Friday, leaving Kerr to compete in a field of high-caliber athletes.