Josh Kerr demonstrated his strength and readiness for the upcoming World Championship in Tokyo with a commanding victory in the 5,000m at the UK Athletics Championships. Kerr, who is already assured of his place on the GB team, broke clear of Rory Leonard with two laps remaining, finishing nine seconds ahead of Jack Kavanagh.

Kerr's Confidence for Tokyo When asked about his prospects for defending his 1500m world title, Kerr told BBC Sport, "It's definitely on the cards. It was a hard effort and spending 12 and a half laps out there is a bit different and a bit more than I'm expecting, but that mile push hopefully shows I'm strong enough for five weeks time."

British Middle Distance Dominance Kerr also highlighted the strength of British middle distance running, stating, "This title's been British for about three or four years and it's hopefully going to stay British for the next couple of years and it's my job to do that." He emphasized the competitive nature of the 1500m event in the UK, adding, "We have a fantastic set of 1500m guys going after it as well, so we are in a great spot in the UK."

Other Notable Performances Neil Gourlay secured his third consecutive 1500m title, while Laura Muir suffered a surprising defeat to Sarah Calvert in the women's event. Jemma Reekie booked her place in the 800m team for Tokyo, finishing second behind Georgia Hunter Bell. In field events, Alessandro Schenini won gold in the long jump, Kirsty Law took silver in the discus, and Bera Ajala claimed bronze in the men's triple jump.

Looking Ahead With the World Championship just weeks away, Kerr's performance at the UK Athletics Championships serves as a strong indicator of his potential to retain his world title. The depth of talent in British middle distance running continues to impress, setting the stage for an exciting competition in Tokyo.