Kerr likes being the 'forgotten man'

DEFENDING world 1,500m champion Josh Kerr is delighted to be flying under the radar in favour of athletics’ newest distractions.

- BY RACHEL STEINBERG

DEFENDING world 1,500m champion Josh Kerr is delighted to be flying under the radar in favour of athletics’ newest distractions.

The 27-year-old Edinburgh athlete’s bid for back-to-back global golds begins with Sunday morning's heats, where an unusually wide field of bona fide contenders will make Kerr’s event one of the most intriguing of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

Dutchman Niels Laros, 20, is the man with the most momentum and attracting the most attention.

“I know people have (slightly forgotten about me), which is amazing,’ said Kerr.

“I can sit here and say anything, and I’m sure it will come out the way it comes out, but look.

“These guys have run well all season, and that’s fantastic. I beat (Olympic champion) Cole (Hocker) in every race that I’ve raced him over 1,500 this year, and I don’t believe I've ever lost to Laros.

“So if you look how the history has worked, I think I make a big jump at this time of the season.