How long was Jakob Ingebrigtsen out of competition before winning gold in Birmingham?

Ingebrigtsen had not competed for nearly a year, since the World Championships in Tokyo, and underwent Achilles tendon surgery in early 2026.

What was Ingebrigtsen's result in the 5000m final?

He won with a time of 13 minutes and 15.29 seconds, ahead of Germany's Florian Bremm (13:15.60) and France's Etienne Daguinos (13:16.09).

Who else achieved a historic feat at the European Championships in Birmingham?

Dutch shot putter Jessica Schilder won her third consecutive European gold, a feat not achieved by any female athlete since 1974.

What was Jessica Schilder's winning throw?

Schilder threw 20.73 meters in her final attempt, and earlier this season she achieved the best throw in the world since 2012, 21.09 meters.

Football

Ingebrigtsen Wins Fourth Consecutive European Gold After Achilles Surgery

N.G. · Prije 3h | 2 min

Norwegian runner Jakob Ingebrigtsen claimed his fourth straight European 5000m title in Birmingham, in his first race after nearly a year out due to Achilles tendon surgery.

Summary

Jakob Ingebrigtsen won his fourth consecutive European 5000m title after nearly a year out due to Achilles tendon surgery.
He triumphed in a thrilling finish with a time of 13:15.29, ahead of Florian Bremm and Etienne Daguinos.
Jessica Schilder won her third consecutive European shot put gold, becoming the first female athlete to do so since 1974.
Schilder celebrated with a throw of 20.73 meters, confirming her dominance after throwing 21.09m in May, the best in the world since 2012.

After nearly a year away from competition, Norwegian runner Jakob Ingebrigtsen returned in style, winning his fourth consecutive European 5000m title in Birmingham. The double world and Olympic champion triumphed in 13 minutes and 15.29 seconds, finishing ahead of Germany's Florian Bremm and France's Etienne Daguinos.

Return After Surgery

Ingebrigtsen had not competed since the World Championships in Tokyo, and in early 2026 he faced a serious health issue. According to Sportklub, the Norwegian underwent surgery on his Achilles tendon in January, while Channel News Asia reports the operation on his left Achilles was performed in February, with sources differing on the exact month of the procedure.

Despite the long layoff and only six weeks of serious training before Birmingham, the 25-year-old showed no signs of rust. The race started at a slow pace, with the first kilometer covered in 2:45. Ingebrigtsen patiently stayed in the middle of the pack, then made his decisive move in the final stretch, overtaking Bremm (13:15.60) and Daguinos (13:16.09) in a sprint to the line. World 10,000m champion Jimmy Gressier of France finished fourth.

"I dreamed of this moment two weeks ago when I put my name on the list," Ingebrigtsen told Sportklub, celebrating on the track with the Norwegian flag draped over his shoulders.

Schilder Makes History in Shot Put

On the same day at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, Dutch shot putter Jessica Schilder won her first gold medal at the European Athletics Championships, which was also her third consecutive European title in the event. She became the first female athlete to achieve this since Soviet athlete Nadezhda Chizhova, who won four titles between 1966 and 1974.

Schilder, the world champion from Tokyo 2025, dominated the competition from the start. She took the lead with her first throw and never relinquished it. Although the title was already secured, she threw 20.73 meters in her final attempt, confirming her superiority. Second place went to her compatriot Jorinde van Klinken with a throw of 19.64 meters, while Germany's Yemisi Mabry was third with 19.50 meters.

Schilder arrived in Birmingham as a clear favorite, especially after throwing 21.09 meters in early May this year, the best throw in the world since 2012.