Jake Wightman pulls off 'crazy' underdog win at World Athletics Championships as dad calls race
The look of disbelief on British 1500m champion Jake Wightman's face as he crossed the finish line captured the upset win best.
“Crazy,” he said of his World Athletics Championships triumph on Wednesday (AEST).
“I think it will take a long time to sink in."
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Jake Wightman clinched a surprise victory in the men's 1500m at the World Athletics Championships — and his dad called the race. Getty Images for World Athletics
Wightman clocked 3:29.23 in Eugene, Oregon, his win upending a string of five straight world 1500m titles by the Kenyans.
Norway's Jakob Ingebrigtsen, the reigning Olympic champion, and Spain’s Mohamed Katir rounded out the medals.
Wightman, who shaved 0.44 of a second off his personal best, conquered the field despite only finishing 10th in the 1500m final at last year's Tokyo Olympics.
And the Hayward Field announcer was none other than Wightman's stunned dad, Geoff.
He was remarkably able to keep it together throughout the race, his voice only showing cracks after Wightman crossed the finish line.
"I have to explain why the stadium camera has just focused on me," Geoff told those in the stadium.
"That's my son, I coach him and he's the world champion."
In another priceless storyline, handing Wightman the gold medal was none other than British middle-distance legend Sebastian Coe, the World Athletics president and one of Wightman's mentors.
“What else could I ask for?” Wightman said.
The 28-year-old produced an incredible move with about 200 metres remaining, surging ahead of Ingebrigsten and stealing the inside lane.
Ingebrigsten moved into the second lane on the home straight and tried to mow his rival down, but Wightman refused to surrender the lead.
“I thought, 'I'm going to give this a go. If I end up finishing fourth, whatever. I gave it a go to try to win,'” Wightman said.
“I just wanted to show I was in good shape and to build on it.”
Australian Stewart McSweyn finished ninth in 3:33.24.
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