Jake Wightman has won Britain’s first gold at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon.
The 28-year-old won the 1500-meter title in a time of three minutes and 29.23 seconds, and finished ahead of Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Spaniard Mohamed Katir.
Wightman entered the championships with the best time in the world this year and broke 200 meters for the final.
It is, by far, the biggest success of his career. He previously won bronze in Europe and the Commonwealth, but only finished 10th at last year’s Tokyo Olympics, which he said left him “quite marked”.
World Athletics moved the Wightman medal ceremony to local time on Tuesday evening because Wednesday’s original would have clashed with his flight home.
His gold was the first British to Eugene and was earned while his father and coach, Geoff, was the commentator at the stadium.
Wightman, who was born in Linlithgow, Scotland, also became the first British runner to win the 1500m in 39 years, from Steve Cram’s gold in 1983.
“Dad can be a bit of a robot at the microphone sometimes, some people say robot, others say professional,” he said.
“I hope I broke it today. It will be interesting to look at it again. My mother was crying, at least someone was crying.
“I didn’t hear him, hopefully, because he was a little excited. One of the first things he said was ‘get ready for the Commies (Commonwealth Games) now.’
“I am now 28 years old, I don’t know how many more opportunities I will have to do this and I hope there are many more to come.
“I have to make the most of it. It’s important to reach the milestone like that, I would never have thought I was a seven- or eight-year-old.
“There are a lot of people who have helped me get to this point. My father has coached me since I was 14 or 15. All the coaches at the Edinburgh club, Loughborough Uni, British Athletics have played a role.”
Image: Wightman celebrated his gold with his father and coach, Geoff, and his mother, Susan. Image: AP
Gold “made up for the Olympics”
Wightman’s father, who was a marathon runner and competed in the 1990 Commonwealth Games, described his son as “thorough,” adding, “I’ve been watching his races all my life, ever since. started as a child in elementary school.and get and win a global title here from all places.
“The most important thing is to make up for the Olympics.
“You only get it once in four years. So I’m very proud, very proud. It’s working hard.”
Image: His victory is the first gold medal Britain has won in the 1500m track event in 39 years. Image: AP
The Loughborough University graduate previously represented Scotland at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014 and was the 1500m junior European champion in 2013.
His best previous record at the World Championships was fifth in 2019.
His fan club, Edinburgh Athletic Club, congratulated him on his gold medal in a Facebook post, writing: “Congratulations to Jake Wightman WORLD CHAMPION in the 1500m in 3: 29.23.
“Well done also by coach / father Geoff and the whole family and support team.
“Edinburgh AC is very proud of you.”
Image: The Loughborough University graduate said he hopes there are more things after his victory. Image: AP
Wightman’s teammate Josh Kerr had finished first in his semifinal, but was unable to threaten the medal positions and finished fifth.
Elsewhere in the championships, the 200-meter defending champion Dina Asher-Smith has reached the final of the event.
The 26-year-old Briton was second in 21.96 seconds, the best of the season, in her semifinals.