BIRMINGHAM, England : Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen retained his European 5,000 metres title on Monday, completing a remarkable comeback from injury by winning his first race in nearly a year in 13 minutes 15.29 seconds.
Ingebrigtsen edged Germany’s Florian Bremm, who finished in 13:15.60, in a thrilling sprint down the final straight, while France’s Etienne Daguinos took bronze in 13:16.09.
The victory was the seventh European Championships gold of Ingebrigtsen’s career and extended his unbeaten record at the continental championships.
The Olympic champion underwent surgery on his left Achilles in February and had only six weeks of substantial training before competing in Birmingham.
“I doubted myself every day coming in to this and every minute leading up to the last lap today, but I’m always hoping to do my best,” said Ingebrigtsen, who finished 10th in his last race at the world championships in Tokyo last year.
“Coming from the lowest of lows to be European champion again means the world to me. Not even I believed it could happen coming here. Only with 600 metres to go, I knew I would win.”
Ingebrigtsen made a cautious start, checking his watch after the gun before settling into the middle of the field as the runners covered the opening kilometre in a slow 2:45.
With about four laps remaining, he moved up around the outside of the pack but found himself boxed in behind Frenchman Jimmy Gressier at the start of the penultimate lap.
Ingebrigtsen then accelerated around the final turn, moved past Bremm on the outside and powered down the home straight to secure victory.
“When Jakob went in front I knew I couldn’t stay with him. He’s a legend of our sport,” Daguinos said. “We knew if he’s here tonight it was because he is in good shape. He’s so strong. He showed that tonight. I am so proud to share a podium with him.”
Ingebrigtsen’s seventh individual European title makes him the most successful male athlete in the history of the continental championships.
