Since 2016, not one man has managed to successfully defend his world title at back-to-back global championships, and none of the seven world-class winners have broken the tape since.

The last man to repeat was Asbel Kiprop (KEN) winning consecutive global titles at the 2013 and 2015 World Championships in Moscow and Beijing.

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In the meantime, a trio of Kenyans have won international gold, joined by a pair of Americans, a pair of Brits, and a lone Norwegian to mark the winner's circle. 

• 2024 - Paris Olympics - Cole Hocker (USA)
• 2023 - Budapest World Championships - Josh Kerr (GB)
• 2022 - Eugene World Championships - Jake Wightman (GB)
• 2021 - Tokyo Olympics (2020) - Jakob Ingebrigtsen (NOR)
• 2020 - No championships due to COVID-19 pandemic.
• 2019 - Doha World Championships - Timothy Cheruiyot (KEN)
• 2017 - World Championships - Elijah Motonei Manangoi (KEN)
• 2016 - Rio Olympics - Matthew Centrowitz (USA)

Ten days from now, the best milers in the world will meet on the line in Tokyo at the World Athletics Championships. Heading into the championship, there are plenty of worthy contenders set to compete from around the globe. As per usual, Kenya is sending a contingent of stars, including Ronald Cheruiyot, Phanuel Koech, and 2019 champion Timothy Cheruiyot. Koech went 3:27.7 in June, while the Cheruiyot duo have both run under 3:30 this summer. Since 2011, Kenya has won five world titles, but have missed the podium the last three iterations. Regardless of past patterns, this year's trio is bound to make things interesting.

>Over the last few years, the Americans have rapidly risen the ranks of the mid-distance landscape and earned their spot at the table. Led by Cole Hocker’s and his thrilling Olympic title he claimed last August, the likes of Yared Nuguse and Hobbs Kessler have helped usher in the next generation of mid-distance fans. Although these three may have been the favorites on paper, but you know what they say, that's why you run the race!

In front of a riveting home crowd on a sunny Eugene afternoon, it wasn’t any of the dominant stars to break the tape, instead it was Jonah Koech who shocked the field en route to a PB and national title. In part to a blistering yet tactical final lap, Koech outlasted the field down the homestretch as he crossed the line as the clock read 3:30.17. Recently turned pro Ethan Strand and superstar Cole Hocker are joining Koech in Tokyo, with all three having a legitimate shot at leaving Tokyo a champion.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that the last two world titles have come from Great Britain, as Josh Kerr won in Budapest (2023) and Jake Wightman won big in Eugene (2022). The experienced and accomplished duo will be joined by Neil Gourley and Elliot Giles, who have both been running strong as of late. In all, the Brits pose a threat to not only the title, but the chance for multiple podium finishes. So far this year, Kerr is the quickest of the bunch, having run 3:29.3 in London in July, while Giles, Wightman, and Neil Gourley have run 3:31.1, 3:31.5, and 3:33.1 this year, respectively.

Regardless of what’s going on with the rest of the field, all eyes will inevitably fall on Jakob Ingebrigtsen, the young superstar who routinely backs up what he says. The 25-year-old Norwegian has been dealing with a lingering achilles injury this season, but is cleared to make a run at the title. He went 3:29.6 in February, but clocked 3:26.7 just over a year ago, which bodes well for someone with his grit and ability to break races open. 

Even though it’s fun to see the household names add to their legacy, what’s more fun than rooting for the underdog? Niels Laros, the 20-year-old Dutch star is coming off of a dominant Diamond League final win, along with big-time wins in the Bowerman Mile at the Pre Classic and the Brussels meeting 1500m. He also posts the fifth-fastest time in the world this year, and has nothing to lose once the gun goes off.

Throw in the world leader, Frenchman Azeddine Habz (3:27.4) and budding star Cam Myers of Australia, and you’ve got yourself two more guys that can win the whole thing if things go their way.

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