Silesia Diamond League: Ingebrigtsen breaks world record in 3000m

Ingebrigtsen’s previous best time over the distance came in September last year when he was nearly three seconds slower than Daniel Komen’s mark.

Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen celebrates with an elephant mascot after breaking the world record to win the men’s 3000m. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Norwegian Jakob Ingebrigtsen shattered the long-standing 3,000 metres world record at the Silesia Diamond League meet on Sunday by more than three seconds.

Ingebrigtsen finished in a time of seven minutes 17.55 seconds, erasing the record set by Kenya’s Daniel Komen in 1996 when he ran 7:20.67 in Rieti, Italy.

Ingebrigtsen’s previous best time over the distance came in September last year when he was nearly three seconds slower than Komen’s mark.

The 23-year-old was in shock when he crossed the line and looked at his time. Ingebrigtsen received a cheque for 50,000 USD and posed with it in front of the clock.

Three days ago, the Norwegian had exacted a small measure of revenge over American Cole Hocker by winning the men’s 1500m in Lausanne in 3:27.83, two weeks after Hocker shocked the Olympic field to win gold in Paris.