Kerr, the outdoor 1500m world champion, has made clear his intention to leave the Paris Olympics with a gold medal hanging around his neck.
On this occasion, he judged his 3000m finish to perfection as he overhauled Ethiopia’s defending champion Selemon Barega.
The 26-year-old never looked like relinquishing the lead once he hit the front with 400m remaining, the crowd rising to their feet as Kerr powered to a memorable victory.
Little more than six months has passed since Kerr stunned reigning Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen to take his outdoor global gold in Budapest.
Winner of Olympic bronze in Tokyo, Kerr has backed up his talk at the start of 2024 by breaking British legend Mo Farah’s world indoor two-mile record that had stood for nine years – and now he has another world title to reinforce his confidence.
Having finished 12th at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham two years ago, Kerr said prior to these championships he wanted to at last do himself justice in front of a home crowd.
He achieved that here, while further asserting himself as the man to beat in Paris.
More to follow.
