FORMER TEDDINGTON-BASED ATHLETE SECURES BRITAIN’S FIRST MEDAL AT WORLD CHAMPS

Former Teddington-based athlete Jake Wightman won Britain’s first medal at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo today (wed) when he clinched the silver medal in the 1500 metres event.

Wightman, 31,  led into the final lap, but it came down to a photo finish between the Brit and Portugal’s Isaac Nader with Jake missing out on gold by two hundredths of a second with a race time of 3:34.12.

Having struggled with persistent injury setbacks over the past two years, Wightman’s involvement at these Championships was in the balance.

Speaking to BBC Sport post-race, he said to be there at all was as good as gold.

“Through the rounds, I knew I had another gear,” he said. “This silver is a gold for me and I am so relieved.”

Jake, who spent time on placement at St Mary’s University in Twickenham, became a World 1500 metre Champion in Eugene, Oregon in July 2022 when he beat the reigning Olympic gold medallist, Jakob Ingebrigtsen.

His win was witnessed by his father, Geoff, who called him home as the event’s stadium commentator, and his delighted mother Susan. Geoff was commentating again today when he saw his son triumph over the finishing line.