Vying for gold, Jakob Ingebrigtsen began his 2025 outdoor season in Tokyo with sky-high expectations, only for fate to strike early. The Norwegian sensation crossed the line in eighth with a 3:37.84 in the heats, his campaign abruptly halted by a nagging Achilles injury. What started as a golden chase ended in heartbreak, but Ingebrigtsen isn’t wired to quit. The Olympic champion now sets his sights on redemption and a trail of world records in 2026.

After a flawless indoor season early on that saw him break the indoor mile world record in Liévin with a time of 3:45.14, along with back-to-back wins in the 1500m and 3000m, the Olympic champion’s streak came to an abrupt halt. However, this setback has only given him more room to grow. In a recent conversation with the media, the athlete revealed that he plans to retire from the sport after clocking ten outdoor world records. As of now, he holds three: in the 2000 meters, 3000 meters, and two English miles (3218 meters).

“This year I laid a good foundation for an incredibly good comeback with a couple of world records next season, says Ingebrigtsen with a smile on his face. When asked what he is thinking about his upcoming season, Ingebrigtsen expressed that he would love to break three outdoor world records next year. “I hope to take the world record in 1500 meters, mile, and 5000 meters. If I can do that, I have to be satisfied. I have to look out for some events and dates where I can have the best chance of making some good attempts at it. Elisabeth (my wife) and I have started looking at the dates.”

Three world records in a single season? Quite a goal he has set for himself; however, in order for him to get close to his goal, he would have to dig into the decades-old records to break them. Jakob Ingebrigtsen currently stands remarkably close to the all-time greats. In the 1500m, his personal best of 3:26.73 is just shy of Hicham El Guerrouj’s long-standing world record of 3:26.00 set in 1998.

In the mile, Ingebrigtsen’s 3:43.73 trails El Guerrouj’s 1999 world record of 3:43.13 by only six-tenths of a second. Meanwhile, in the 5000m, his best time of 12:48.45 remains about thirteen seconds behind Joshua Cheptegei’s 2020 world record of 12:35.36.

The Norwegian star is quite close to the records, but securing them in a single season is quite a challenge even for the most seasoned athletes. When asked whether he has chosen any specific track to break the record, Ingebrigtsen explained that all tracks are good; however, bad conditions remain a persistent issue that worries him.

“Yes. Most of the tracks are good to run on, but all tracks can also have bad conditions. There will be a bit of bingo, but it is generally a bit safer further south in Europe. Monaco has been a very good race for many years, and Paris is good. Silesia is very good. These are races I have looked forward to. And most likely Bislett. It’s always something I look forward to,” said Jakob Ingebrigtsen. There we go – a list of his preferred destinations to break the world record. It’s evident that with no World Championships next year, all of his focus will shift toward the Diamond League and the European Championships.

With his Achilles issue finally under control, the athlete looks sharper than ever, and here’s the twist: he even underwent surgery to remove his tonsils after chronic throat issues.

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“It was a little worse than we thought,” Jakob Ingebrigtsen on his tonsillitis

Jakob Ingebrigtsen is on the mend after undergoing surgery to remove his tonsils. Speaking to VG, Ingebrigtsen revealed, “It turned out that they were chronically inflamed. It’s something I haven’t prioritised before, because it never fit well. I’m never willing to stop training for two weeks. Now it’s been two weeks where I haven’t moved that much.”

The Norwegian star admitted he’s “very glad” he finally went through with the procedure, adding, “It was a little worse than we thought.” In the past, his chronic throat issues had disrupted his training on several occasions. Speaking to NRK/Nettavisen, Ingebrigtsen acknowledged that the problem “has bothered me for the past few years. I’ve had some throat pain and have been knocked out by it.” He also revealed that he’s currently under a “training ban for two weeks,” noting that the surgery took place about three weeks ago.

The surgery marks a rare pause for the relentless champion, who’s known for his uncompromising dedication to training, even when battling chronic discomfort. He now joins the list of athletes like Noah Lyles and Adam Peaty, who have also had their tonsils removed. Regardless, what are your thoughts on the athlete? Will he be able to break the record? Share your opinion in the comments below.