From the outset, Josh Kerr has believed that ‘family is the backbone of success,’ a mantra he lives by. Time and again, he attributes his achievements to his family’s support, noting, “They’ve given me so much and it was nice to pay that back a little bit today.” Kerr’s pride in representing the family name was evident as he declared, “I just couldn’t be prouder to represent the Kerr family name today.” Their influence has been pushing him from setting a world record in the indoor two-mile event to claiming 1500m gold at the World Indoors in Glasgow. With his sights set next on Olympic gold, Kerr continues to chase his dreams!

Last weekend at the British Athletics Championships in Manchester, Kerr took on the 800m, a pivotal event doubling as Team GB’s Olympic trials. His triumphs owe much to his family support and a spirited sibling rivalry with elder brother Jake Kerr, fueling his competitive drive. But who is his brother?

All about Jake Kerr, Josh Kerr’s older brother

Jake Kerr is a well-known figure in Scottish rugby, currently outshining as a hooker for Bristol Bears in Premiership Rugby. Born on April 13, 1996, in Edinburgh, Scotland, Jake attended George Watson’s College, where he thrived in rugby and track and field. After graduating, he pursued further education at Loughborough University. Jake began his professional rugby career in 2016 with Edinburgh Rugby and later joined the Leicester Tigers in 2017. Throughout his career, he has made 45 appearances for Leicester, scoring five tries.

In 2019, Jake earned his debut for the Scotland national team, achieving one cap. Alongside his younger brother Josh Kerr, who has made his mark in athletics, Jake shares a strong and supportive sibling bond. He admires Josh as his “biggest inspiration,” while Josh considers Jake his “best friend.” Raised in Edinburgh with a deep passion for sports, the Kerr brothers’ upbringing laid the groundwork for their achievements in their respective fields.

More about Jake Kerr’s family and background

Josh Kerr comes from a sporting background, with his father John having been a former professional rugby player for Caledonia Reds. Meanwhile, his mother Jill runs a successful physiotherapy practice in Morningside, showing the Kerr family’s deep involvement in both athletics and healthcare. After securing gold in the 1500 meters at the Athletics World Championships, Kerr fought back tears as he spoke about the pride he felt with his parents present in the stadium.

He said, “This means a lot to our family, and they’ve invested a great deal of time, effort, and resources in me. I couldn’t be prouder to represent the Kerr family name today.” Kerr showed his commitment to giving his all, recognizing how their support has propelled him forward, proving that family ties run deep.