Scottish middle-distance runner Josh Kerr was caught in the tenterhooks of controversy when Grant Holloway came to his aid. Kerr, 26, has been in sublime touch recently. He displayed an exhilarating performance to break the indoor two-mile record of Mo Farah at the recently concluded Millrose Games.

He has also elevated the British hopes by opting to participate at the World Indoor Championships. However, all these silver linings had a dark cloud looming in the name of Jakob Ingebrigtsen. But the messianic figure of Holloway gave his compatriot much needed succor from the maw of the all-pervasive paparazzi, who posed a serious question in contention with Ingebrigtsen.

Grant Holloway steps up for Josh Kerr

When Kerr appeared at the presser for the Indoor World Championships, things were about to get serious. A Norwegian journalist asked Kerr about Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s recent comments. Ingebrigtsen stated that he was capable enough to beat Kerr wearing a blindfold. The reporter urged the Scottish athlete to cite his reaction about the same.

Sensing a potential controversy in the making, Grant Holloway quickly stepped up. He shunned the journalist and said, “Choose your words wisely.” Soon after, Kerr also took a safety-first approach and refused to comment on the matter. He said, “No comment.” Elaborating on the controversy, Kerr recently clocked 8:00:67 at the Millrose Games to establish a new world record. 

The previous world record was held by Mo Farah, who clocked 8:03:40. Ingebrigtsen, commenting on the matter, stated, “I would have beaten him in that race, blindfolded … But it’s good that people run better than they have done before.” However, this is not an exclusive instance of rivalry between Kerr and Ingebrigsten. 

Josh Kerr v Jakob Ingebrigtsen: A brewing rivalry 

Since the time Kerr overtook Ingebrigtsen in the 1500m to clinch the gold, a cold war has been brewing. The Norwegian athlete took a jibe and stated, “It is not certain that [Kerr] runs any better now than last year at the same time; he did not run two miles then.” As a matter of fact, Ingebrigtsen is the current holder of the outdoor 2-mile record at 7:54:10. However, it is not only the Norwegian who have taken shots.

Read More: Grant Holloway Maintains 10-Year Winning Streak After USATF Indoor Championship Gold

Last year in December, Josh Kerr sat down on the Sunday Plodcast to comment about Ingebrigtsen. Reflecting on his strengths and weaknesses, Kerr stated that Ingebrigtsen’s major weakness is his ego. Thus, with a lot to play for in the future, it remains to be seen how this rivalry will shape up. 

Continue to Read: Wellington Athletes Granted Olympic Mentorship via Everyone Active’s Sporting Champion Program