BIRMINGHAM - Jakob Ingebrigtsen sealed a sensational comeback from Achilles tendon surgery to win a record-extending seventh European championship gold in Birmingham on Monday.
As the Norwegian produced a devastating trademark finish for gold in the 5,000m, it was hard to believe that it was the 25-year-old's first competitive race in 324 days.
His last outing in anger was a 10th placed finish in the 10,000m at last year's Tokyo world champs.
Back to his barn-storming best after surgery, Ingebrigtsen did not disappoint in Birmingham, delivering a true masterclass in measured middle-distance running.
He timed 13min 15.29sec for victory to further cement his place as the most successful male athlete in European history. He is unbeaten at the Euros since taking a golden 1,500/5,000m double as a fresh-faced teenager back in Berlin in 2018.
Germany's Florian Bremm took silver and France's Etienne Daguinos bronze in Birmingham, but the race was all about the returning Ingebrigtsen.
"Coming from the lowest of lows to be European champion again means the world to me. Not even I believed it could happen coming here," Ingebrigtsen said.
"I am starting to feel more like myself. I was hoping my fitness would be okay. Before this race I worked on my breathing and really tried to focus on running smooth."
The Norwegian added: "I doubted myself every day coming in to this and every minute leading up to the last lap today, but I'm always hoping to do my best."
Bronze medallist Daguinos said Ingebrigtsen was "a legend of our sport. We knew if he's here tonight it was because he is good shape".
There was reason for late local cheer at the Alexander Stadium as Amy Hunt made the most of her rich vein of form for victory in the women's 100m in 11.00sec.
Poland's Ewa Swoboda took silver and Belgium's Delphine Nkansa bronze as Hunt's teammate and defending champion Dina Asher-Smith came in fifth.
- AFP