The European Athletics Indoor Championship is fast approaching. And as the clock ticks closer, Jakob Ingebrigtsen becomes more and more acute on how to deal with the new challenges. But does he even need to do that? After all, for the longest time, his name has been synonymous with long distance and middle distance races. Well, this time things might be a little different. His opponents know him like the back of their hands, and one of them is even ready to hit dirty. But why so much planning for this one guy?

Well, that is simply because the Norwegian simply seems invincible sometimes. Take for example his performance in 2024. The highlight of the year was surely Ingebrigtsen’s Olympic triumph. After winning the 1500m gold in Tokyo, the 24-year-old followed it up with a 5000m gold in Paris. And that was just the tip of the iceberg. 

Apart from the Olympics, Ingebrigtsen also clinched gold medals in the 1500m Diamond League and in the 1500m and 5000m European Championships in Rome. Surely, this has to be the best year of the Norwegian athletes’ careers. But a champion like Ingebrigtsen will not really get content with just one dominant year. As if to reflect that, he is already a hot favorite for the Eurpoan Games.

Competing in both the 1500m and 3000m disciplines in Apeldoorn, Netherlands, he just solidified his status with more wins. Moreover, his dominance is such that even his opponents have a fair idea of his strengths. And is that not quite obvious? One such rival of his is James West. The British athlete ran an impressive timing of 7:51.13 in the 3000m heats.

While he qualified for the finals with ease, West will now have to face Ingebrigtsen. Reflecting on the upcoming challenges, West opined that it was very hard to beat such champions. However, he also seems to have had a way out.  “It is, but if you want to compete for the medals, you really need to not give them too much respect,” said West.

Well, seemingly as it appears, what the Brit tried to emphasize was that the 1500m participants probably gave too much respect to Ingebrigsten. But West was determined not to make the same mistake in the 3000m finals. He added, “3K is probably going to be very similar because he’s very hard to stop, but we’ve got to try and rough him up a little bit. It’s his fourth race in four days. We’ll see what we can do.” A pretty bold claim from James. But knowing just how competitive Jakob is, he will surely be prepared, right?

Did Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s bold declaration just put competitors on notice?

He isn’t backing down! When his opponents seem to be considering him a threat about him, why won’t Jakob ooze confidence? And his competitors have been put on high alert for the same. With a new season coming, the Norwegian star is ready to raise the bar yet again. Aiming to replicate his Paris heroics, Ingebrigtsen has shared his message loud and clear. That he’s not worried about the competition. Rather, he’s more focused on his own dominance.

In a recent interview with The Telegraph UK, Ingebrigtsen threw light on his rivalry with Josh Kerr. Jakob unapologetically added, “I don’t know why he’s so focused on me, but I guess it’s because I’m the one to beat.” His words undoubtedly echoed the pressure his presence alone can create in the competitive sphere. But if their past interactions are to be brought up, Kerr isn’t that much of a challenge in Jakob’s eyes.

After all, the Norwegian’s sole focus simply remains on winning. One can even see that he isn’t even registering the thought of others taking his place at the top. He simply proclaims, “If I can do what I am capable of, focus on my own journey, and execute that to the best of my ability, it matters not who stands beside me. I am on my own mission.”

Pretty strong words when said out of the mouth of anyone else. But from the mouth of Jakob Ingebrigsten, it is not a prediction, it is a spoiler. But what do you guys think? Is Jakob being a bit too gutsy or has he surpassed competition by so much that he simply doesn’t need to care anymore? Let us know in the comments below.