Will Jakob Ingebrigtsen return to his top level?

I’d like to hope he can regain his former greatness but my heart tells me it’s not looking great.

He’s clearly not been able to train well (relative to what he needs). See all the Instagram posts with running in old Nike 4% shoes etc.

This achilles issue is also clearly now a recurring problem (two years in a row).

Now combine the fact that the achilles is notoriously problematic once issues begin and both of his brothers trajectory once they started breaking down.

Don’t write him off and I wish him the best but if I had to I’d bet on him finally being somewhat done.

The only "authentic" thing I see is that Western countries will return to their "misery" at running.

Look at what is happening:

- Western countries are wining medals using African runners (Cases Kipketer, Mo Farah, Sifan Hassan, the Spanish runners and now the Italian runners)

- Real Talents from U20 World Championships are left down, forgotten.

I have at least three examples from Ethiopia.

Depends what we are talking about here.

A 3:25 is looking way more difficult now.

However, winning a future Gold against a bunch of pussies in the 10,000m...bring it on.

Don't understand how this is even a debate right now, he ran the indoor mile and 1500m WR and won double at world indoors this year. He's been gone only for a single season and has had one race where he wasn't quite sharp enough. Way too premature to be having this discussion.

You answered your own question with the first sentence of your post.

Unfortunately not this year. But hopefully next year he can get back to normal form and attempt WR’s.

Achilles issues can take a long time to heal - patience is key. Does Jakob have the patience? It's nutrition, PT, orthotics, and time. Even with Tendonosis, surgery doesn't have to be in the mix with proper treatment.

I can see him coming back and contesting for gold medals and world records in the 5000. Maybe the 10000 too?