\n<\/p>\n
Speaking after his victory, Kerr referenced the “stick” he receives for not competing as much as others.<\/p>\n
But he is in no doubt that it is because of that approach that he is able to seize the career-defining moments when they arrive.<\/p>\n
In response to criticism from Ingebrigtsen over his decision to skip the European Championships in Birmingham, Kerr said he “was not a robot” and would continue to approach each season by targeting only a few competitions to avoid injury and maintain consistent high levels of performance.<\/p>\n
While the Ultimate Championship was not one of those dates at the beginning of the year, it was no surprise that World Athletics made sure he could be present – nor that Kerr took the sport’s governing body up on the offer.<\/p>\n
Kerr is, after all, blockbuster. He underlined his position as one of the sport’s biggest draws when he boldly announced his record-breaking intentions months in advance before delivering his historic mile performance in front of 60,000 British fans in July.<\/p>\n
There were also no mistakes in Scotland, despite the pressure which came with his role as headline act in front of an expectant home crowd.<\/p>\n
It is just 12 months since Kerr’s world title defence was ended by a calf tear in Tokyo.<\/p>\n
But, having recovered to reach career-best fitness, the next three years now provide him with the opportunity to cement himself among the all-time greats.<\/p>\n
With two World Championships – the second potentially in London – either side of the next Olympic Games, Kerr will continue to ignore the outside noise and follow his established winning formula.<\/p>\n
“Obviously I get a lot of stick for not racing so much,” Kerr said. “But it allows me to come here fresh and ready to go.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n