Jakob Ingebrigtsen surprised everyone with an incredible comeback in the 5,000 metres race in the European Athletics Championships on Monday, passing the German Florian Bremm in the final sprint to claim a gold medal, which means he continues to be unbeaten at the European Championships (outdoor) since 2018. Ingebrigsten finished in 13 minutes, 15.29 seconds, while Bremm finished in 3:15.60 and the French Etienne Daguinos ended third in 13:16.09.
The Norwegian has won every gold medal in every category he competes in, 5000 m, 3000 m, and 1500 m, in every indoor or outdoor European Championships since 2018 (with the exception of a second place in 3000 m at the Indoor Championships in 2019).
This year it was particularly remarkable as it was his first race in nearly a year: at the World Championships in Tokyo in September last year, Ingebrigsten finished 10th in the 5000 m (and eighth in the 1500 m) before undergoing Achilles tendon surgery in February. He only had six weeks of training before the current European Championships in Birmingham, but it was enough for the most successful European athlete of all-time.
"Coming from the lowest of lows to be European champion again means the world to me. Not even I believed it could happen coming here. Only with 600 metres to go, I knew I would win", the Norwegian said.
Ingebrigsten will then race for the 1500 m in the penultimate day of the competition, on Saturday August 15.
