Josh Kerr stormed to a thrilling victory in the men's 3000m at the World Indoor Championships in Torun, Poland, reclaiming the gold he won in 2024. The British runner crossed the line in 7 minutes 35.56 seconds, making the 'night night' gesture popularised by NBA star Steph Curry, a clear message to his American rival Cole Hocker.
Hocker had used the same celebration after beating Kerr at the Millrose Games last month. Kerr admitted the defeat had motivated him. 'Millrose was a big deal, but this is the North Star,' he said. Hocker acknowledged the sting of losing and Kerr's gesture, promising payback. 'I flexed him at Millrose. All I can say is at least come up with your own celebration. But I'll remember that one, for sure,' Hocker said.
The race lived up to its billing as a showdown between the three Olympic 1500m medallists from Paris. Kerr struggled with positioning for much of the race, sitting in sixth as the Ethiopians pushed the pace. He made his move on the penultimate lap, striking while Hocker found himself boxed in. Hocker closed the gap in the final 100 metres but could not catch Kerr, finishing 0.24 seconds behind for silver. France's Yann Schrub took bronze.
Kerr credited his coach Danny Mackay and his mother Jill, a physiotherapist, for his recovery from a calf injury that forced him out of the 1500m final in Tokyo last September. 'From where we were in Tokyo, it's all down to coaching, and it's down to my physio, my mum,' he said. 'She is incredible.'
Elsewhere on the second day, Dina Asher-Smith finished seventh in the 60m final after equalling her British record in the semi-finals. Italy's Zaynab Dosso took gold in 7.00 seconds. Britain's medal hopes rest on Keely Hodgkinson in the 800m and Georgia Hunter-Bell in the 1500m on the final day. Mondo Duplantis won the men's pole vault with 6.25m, while Simon Ehammer set a world record in the men's heptathlon with 6,670 points.
