Chilly 1500M Rivalry: Kerr vs Nuguse vs Inbergstein

September 23, 2024

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👋 Hey, Speedsters!

Still nostalgic from our hearty tribute to the beloved Flo-Jo? Well, it's time to stir things up. We get it— if there's anything that track and field fans love, it's a good rivalry. Thus, today's edition will take you through the 2024 Diamond League season's most dynamic rivalries. Hang tight— a whole lot of spice is coming your way.

As the battle for top billing in the men's 1500-meter continues, Jakob Ingebrigsten, Josh Kerr, and Yared Nuguse keep alternating positions on the podium. Rivalry redefined? Possibly, as Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Femke Bol have no time for trash talk; they let their performances speak. And no, we're not missing out on Kung-Fu Kenny's silent but intense fire back at Letsile Tebogo.

So let’s dive in!

📜 QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Iron sharpens iron. People can call it whatever they want to call it, but it’s two great athletes pushing each other to be better.”

— Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone

In today’s newsletter, we’ll uncover these top stories from track & field universe:

🏃🏻‍➡️ Clash of the Titans: Kerr vs Nuguse vs Inbergstein

👟 Hurdles Showdown: Bol vs McLaughlin-Levrone

💪🏻 Shotput’s Greatest Rivalry

🎽 Tebogo Face-off Against Bednarek

🏃🏻‍➡️ METRIC-MILE SHOWDOWN

Chilly 1500M Rivalry: Kerr vs Nuguse vs Inbergstein

Oh, what an unpredictable show the men's 1500m event has turned into! Back track to May 2024, the Bowerman Mile, where Jakob Ingebrigsten suffered a loss to Josh Kerr. It’s aftermath was not without the Norwegian labeling him a 'coward' for comments on his family, or the Brit star confirming, 'We're not friends.' While the world focused on how the loss was a blow to Ingebrigsten,  a competitor silently crept into the third spot— Yared Nuguse.

Even later, fighting tooth and neck to beat Timothy Cheruiyot at the Oslo and Parisian Diamond League stops, Jakob Ingebrigsten hardly looked dominant in 1500m. But who knew the Paris Olympics 2024 would change the script? Cole Hocker's win made the field more crowded. But life came full circle for Ingebrigsten when he got his revenge in Lausanne, after confessing to being 'outsmarted' previously.

However, the plot thickened as all 4 aces ran for dominance in Zurich. The field now had a European record holder, a world champion, and an Olympic champion. You believe the three would have the upper hand, until a 25-year-old Taylor-swift, Nuguse swipes a clean win in 3:29.21.

What was next? The runner-up Jakob hid under the garb of sickness, while Kerr confessed his loss was 'mentally tiring.' But, it was the former who tasted ultimate victory at the Brussels Diamond League finale. Indeed, the 1500 m rivalry has panned out way past just Josh vs Jakob, and turned into the 'Formula One' of track and field, as Ingebrigsten likes to say.

📊 POLL OF THE DAY

Should Athletes Be Banned for Life for Doping?

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Last Poll’s Result: the last poll’s votes are in, and the excitement is palpable! With a stunning 57.14% of you believing in its potential, the crown jewel of Flo-Jo's legacy—the impressive 200m World Record—has emerged as the favorite to be shattered first! 🏃‍♀️💨 

 🔥 HURDLE HEAT

Hurdles Saga: Femke Bol vs Sydney Mclaughlin-Leverone

The women's 400-meter hurdles event has turned into a fan favorite. But, the nature of this rivalry is quite distinct. While Bobby Kersee and Laurent Muewly's pupils have one commonality- the New Balance banner, there's a clear one-sided on-track dominance, with Sydney leading a 3-0 over the Dutch powerhouse. So, then what is the ballyhoo about? Well, it seems the sheer fact that McLaughlin-Levrone's throne has a new challenger, Bol, who is second after the American to have entered the sub-51 seconds territory. 

And well, there has not been radio silence between the two. But every time they've mentioned each other, it's been cordial and respectful. Remember when Bol stated, that it's truly inspirational to see how McLaughlin-Levrone's racing? Or that they're friends? Thus, there might be no drama here in this story but it's just the hype that acts as fodder for the rivalry fire. Imagine, that even fellow athletes like Josh Kerr are already anticipating Sydney vs Femke at the 2025 Tokyo World Championships. Oh, and there are also fiery fan discussions, which add to the buildup.

For those who have seen her chart the Diamond League territory in 2024, this won't be surprising, as from Stockholm to London and then Lausanne, Silesia, and Brussels, she has a 5-of-5 win streak in the event. But, while Sydney missed this league, can there be a fair means to measure whose greater?

Meanwhile, on paper, McLaughlin-Levrone reigns supreme, the only woman to be a double Olympic champion in this event for the past 10 Olympic cycles. Mind you, she's also the world record holder, for the sixth time in history. But Bol being the current #1 in 400m hurdles will make you rethink things

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📽️ VIDEO VAULT

The Unfolding Drama of Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone!

A missed chance. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s permission to compete at the Brussels Diamond League 2024 was revoked. But as you know, she still stomped down the tracks in the finale. How did that happen? And what mistake caused her to name be scraped out off the contenders list?

💪🏻 POWER DUEL

Greatest Shotput Rivalry Of This Era

You can call them 'friendly rivals' for there's been so much history between the two Americans- Ryan Crouser and Joe Kovacs, who share much more than their passion for shot put. Over the past 8 years, from Rio to Tokyo Crouser has dominated the Olympic champion title, while Kovacs has happily stood a spot underneath. "If either of us existed at separate points in throwing history, that person would be the greatest of all time," but unfortunately, only one sits on the GOAT throne today, Crouser.

Fast track to their 2024 Diamond League performances, Kovacs entered the circuit with a Prefontaine Classic win, notably in Crouser's absence. Call it his pre-Olympics flex, Crosuer reigned supreme over Kovacs in London. But, well, after the Olympics, where Crouser awarded Kovas, 'throw of the day' for his most impressive throw since 2012, the dynamic shifted. Come Silesia, the gold-silver medalists swapped spots as Kovacs took a momentary lead. However, Crosuer turned back to winning ways and how, as he registered 2 unbeaten Diamond League wins, at Rome and Zurich.

Glancing at their careers, Crouser holds a 50-12 lead against his compatriot Kovacs, but the two have shared some of the greatest moments in the sport, together. At the historic all-American shot put podium at the 2022 World Athletics Championships, Kovas and Crouser attained a shared goal they 'always talked about' to each other. The most beautiful thing? Well, despite the competition, there's no bad blood between them. 

😲 SPRINT BATTLE

200M Chase Between Tebogo vs Kenny Bednarek

Results testify that Letsile Tebogo was riding on a wave of success after the Paris Olympics, while Bednarek remained caught in the shadows. The streak of edging Kenny out of the gold race continued to Silesia and Zurich, until a 19.67-second time finally cruised Bednarek to a win over Tebogo at Brussels. Revenge mode on? "A little bit" agreed Bednarek, who blamed his failed executions for Tebogo's wins over him this season. He agreed, it felt great to taste redemption.

Bednarek has fired a warning that he's about to get 'more dangerous' next season, but, the Bostwanan continues to retain the spot of #1 200m runner currently. 5 sub 19.70s timings for Bednarek this season and 3 Diamond League wins (Doha, Prefontaine Classic, Brussels), whereas, Tebogo has 3 sub-19.70 timings this season and 4 league wins (Monaco, Lausanne, Zurich, Silesia). One can say that it's been a close tussle between them. But the records books hint otherwise. Tebogo currently holds a strong 5-2 lead over Bednarek in the 200m.

While Tebogo did not hold back from calling Noah Lyles arrogant, he has interestingly not made jibes at Bednarek yet. But, the end-of-the-year rivalry has set the stage for 2025, and fans are already picking sides. We also have had veterans like Justin Gaitlin throw their support behind Bednarek, it'll be interesting to watch how this rivalry takes shape in the future. 

📝 STORIES YOU SHOULDN’T MISS!

  1. Kenny Bednarek Gets Emotional Over Track and Field Hardships After Shattering Letsile Tebogo’s Undefeated Streak - Full Story

  2. Tara Davis-Woodhall Takes Wholesome Step With Hunter Woodhall to Honor Husband’s Past - Full Story

  3. Trumping Diamond League, Michael Johnson Remains ‘Unapologetic’ About Grand Slam Track League - Full Story

  4. Sha’Carri Richardson Makes First Appearance After Disappointing Diamond League Finals for a Noble Track and Field Cause - Full Story

  5. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Turns Apologetic Over Career Mistake After Diamond League Controversy - Full story

That’s it for today, folks! We’ll look to knock on your inbox soon with more interesting stories!

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