‘People are chasing me now – that makes things easier’

The reigning 1500m world champion Josh Kerr has a target on his back as he defends his title in Tokyo, but the runner reveals that’s just the way he likes it, discovers Luke Baker

- Luke Baker

Heavy is the head that wears the crown. That’s what the old saying dictates but no one appears to have told Josh Kerr. When the World Athletics Championships get underway in Tokyo this weekend, Kerr will have officially gone from the hunter to the hunted. A remarkable kick down the home straight in Budapest two years ago took the US-based Scot past bitter rival and heavy favourite Jakob Ingebrigtsen to secure the men's 1500m world title.

It wasn't just the culmination of a lifelong dream and years of hard graft for the Brit; it immediately put a target on his back. Last year's Olympics in Paris provided another shock, but this time it was American Cole Hocker with the late kick to stun Kerr and Ingebrigtsen and snatch a gold medal from their grasp. Kerr was forced to settle for silver, an upgrade on his bronze from the previous Games but short of his stated target.