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Josh Kerr has mentioned the mental toll of competing at high levels after a challenging race at the Zürich Diamond League.
World 1500m champion Josh Kerr made his first post-Olympic appearance at the urich Diamond League facing a stellar line-up that included not only his arch-rival Jakob Ingebrigtsen but also Paris Olympic gold medalist Cole Hocker and bronze medalist Yared Nuguse.
Despite a season filled with highs, Kerr found the competition tough and finished fifth, a placement that did not meet his high standards.
The race in Zurich was fiercely competitive from the start, with Ingebrigtsen, fresh off breaking the 3000m world record, looking to dominate.
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However, in a dramatic turn of events during the final moments, he was overtaken by Nuguse who clinched the win with a time of 3:29.21.
Ingebrigtsen secured second place with a time of 3:29.52, while Hocker took third, clocking in at 3:30.46. Kerr, with a time of 3:31.46, was unable to maintain the pace in the crucial last 200 meters.
"I don't know that was mentally very tiring. I don’t have a week-after-week time trial brain, so these races are kind of boring to me sometimes. You know getting up for it was one thing. I was excited to race, I’m in a good place, training’s been going well. You know if you see the first 1200m, I was in great shape but just couldn't close it down," Kerr explained, revealing the mental and physical toll the race took on him.
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Further reflecting on his performance, Kerr shared his frustration about not being able to leverage his strong start into a podium finish.
"It took a lot of mental energy just to stay in it and I didn't have much left in the last 200m. This whole season I have ran world records and gold medals indoors, it's a long year man. It is tough to go week in week out and do the same thing," he added.
Last month, Kerr won a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, marking a significant milestone in his career.
His Olympic performance was a testament to his skill and determination, showcasing his ability to compete at the highest level against the world's best.
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Celebrating this achievement, Kerr took to social media to express his gratitude for the support he received.
"As I celebrate the end of this incredible Olympic cycle, marked by my first major medal in 2021, I am deeply grateful for the unwavering support.
I’ve received from my family and friends throughout these championships. Their encouragement has been a cornerstone of my success, and I truly couldn’t have achieved this without them," Kerr posted on Instagram.
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