World Athletics: Kerr joined by Wightman & Gourley in 1500m final

Josh Kerr is ready for a “real battle” to defend his World Athletics Championships 1500m title and will be joined by fellow Scots Jake Wightman and Neil Gourley in Wednesday’s final.

Kerr led for almost all of the first semi-final race in Tokyo before being overtaken on the line by Dutchman Niels Laros.

Wightman, the 2022 gold medallist, came third in the same heat third, while Gourley scraped through in the second semi, in which Olympic champion Cole Hocker of the USA was disqualified for a jostling violation.

Norwegian star Jakob Ingebrigtsen failed to make it through the opening round after a long spell out through injury.

Azeddine Habz of France and Kenyan teenager Phanuel Koech – the two fastest 1500m runners this year – also exited the competition on Sunday.

“I have my work cut out for me, but I feel pretty confident,” said Kerr.

“We’re getting places. I would say it’s one of the most confident I’ve gone into a world final. But each championships bring their own kind of challenges and fun, and I’ll keep doing what I can to show up and medal and go after the gold.

“It’s my title, it will be a real battle for whoever wants to come take it off of me, and I just need to keep an eye on the last lap. I’m going to get some work done.”