DENISE LEWIS jumped up and down and smacked the back of the sofa as she watched Josh Kerr pick up World Championship gold in the 1500 metres.
Kerr raced to win unlikely gold for Britain in a race that no one really gave him a chance in.
Going into the 1500 metres, the overwhelming favourite for the race was Norwegian Jakob Ingebrigtsen.
But Kerr kept pace with Ingebrigtsen throughout, and kicked on in the last 200m to finish strongly and take gold.
An emotional Kerr said after the race: “It’s been a long time coming. It’s quite an overwhelming experience. But I’m so proud of myself, my team and my family.
“I didn’t feel like I ran my best race either. I just threw my whole 16 years of this sport into that last 200m and didn’t let up to the end.
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“It was fast early but I stayed calm. I knew I was capable of a world championship gold medal for GB so I’m very glad to add to that medal count.”
Supporting Kerr’s victory on from the punditry box was Denise Lewis alongside Michael Johnson.
Lewis was seen switching between her view from the punditry box and her view of a monitor showing the race as she jumped up and down to support Kerr.
As he crossed the line, she was seen slapping the back of the sofa with excitement.
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Fans on Twitter were quick to praise the passion shown by Lewis in supporting Kerr in the race, with one fan saying: “Love Denise! There were similar scenes in our house. Well done Josh Kerr!! Great race.”
While another wrote: “Love the passion , need more Denise Lewis in this world!”
A third wrote: “Denise Lewis is the best of us”
Fans also praised Michael Johnson’s reaction who was cheering Kerr onto victory despite his American allegiances.
One fan wrote: “MJ is basically an honorary Brit now.”
And another added: “When you have an American In the Race I though Micheal Johnson’s reactions were brilliant.”
Reflecting on his win in an interview with the BBC, Kerr said: “You can see from my face that I’m throwing everything I had at this guy. We were both fighting.
“I wanted this for my whole life. I made sure I pumped all the way home. I’m so happy.
“With 50m to go I kind of broke him. It was just about holding form at that point. I’ve had bronze but gold is a lot sweeter.”
Kerr, who needed to use his elbows to barge rivals out of the way in the early laps, wears Oakley sunglasses as part of a lucrative contract.
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The US-based athlete will now head to the Paris 2024 Olympics as the reigning world champion – and what a final that promises to be in the French capital.
Source: Athletics - thesun.co.uk
