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Josh Kerr thought he was "untouchable". And why not?
World outdoor 1500m gold in Budapest 2023, after Olympic silver two years before. World indoor gold over 3,000m in Glasgow in 2024.
The Paris Olympics was supposed to be his next glory. But despite running a British record in the 1500m final, he was left with silver again.
Then came the world championship last year. Kerr's chance to re-establish himself as the top boy in the 1500m by retaining his title.
Instead, his calf popped in the final and he dragged himself across the line in last place. The pain was both literal and emotional.
So when the Scot rampaged to world indoor glory again in Poland on Saturday, there was a "sense of relief as well as enjoyment and excitement".
"When you win an outdoor title and back it up with an indoor title at home, it's almost like saying 'I'm untouchable and I'm never going to lose again'," he told BBC Sport's Paula Radcliffe after retaining his 3,000m crown.
"But sport is brutal and Tokyo reminded me that athletics doesn't owe me anything, regardless of how hard I work and the sacrifices I make.
"Winning gold at a major championships is maybe something I took for granted for a little bit, so this one was really special.
"I'm just trying to take it with a more mature head and know that these moments don't come all the time."
One moment that is very much in his sights is the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow - an event he describes as a "massive priority" in a spell that also includes the European Championships and the new World Athletics Ultimate Championship.
Kerr's travails at the worlds prevented him being pre-selected to represent Scotland in the mile alongside Jake Wightman and Neil Gourley, but his place is likely to be confirmed soon.
At the age of 28, and off the back of that calf injury, he acknowledges that the schedule is gruelling, but it is one he is ready to embrace.
"People roast me for under-racing but my goal is to run all the big championships," Kerr said. "I want to race at home as much as possible, that's the most important thing for me.
"I'm 28 years old and I feel in the best place, physically and mentally, that I've ever been in during my career.
"I've also got some pretty awesome experience behind me to continue to take some large shots at these big medals."
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World outdoor 1500m gold in Budapest 2023, after Olympic silver two years before. World indoor gold over 3,000m in Glasgow in 2024.
The Paris Olympics was supposed to be his next glory. But despite running a British record in the 1500m final, he was left with silver again.
Then came the world championship last year. Kerr's chance to re-establish himself as the top boy in the 1500m by retaining his title.
Instead, his calf popped in the final and he dragged himself across the line in last place. The pain was both literal and emotional.
So when the Scot rampaged to world indoor glory again in Poland on Saturday, there was a "sense of relief as well as enjoyment and excitement".
- GB's Kerr reclaims world indoor 3,000m title
- 'Why would I give up chance to win gold for Scotland in Scotland?'
"When you win an outdoor title and back it up with an indoor title at home, it's almost like saying 'I'm untouchable and I'm never going to lose again'," he told BBC Sport's Paula Radcliffe after retaining his 3,000m crown.
"But sport is brutal and Tokyo reminded me that athletics doesn't owe me anything, regardless of how hard I work and the sacrifices I make.
"Winning gold at a major championships is maybe something I took for granted for a little bit, so this one was really special.
"I'm just trying to take it with a more mature head and know that these moments don't come all the time."
'I feel in best place I've ever been'
One moment that is very much in his sights is the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow - an event he describes as a "massive priority" in a spell that also includes the European Championships and the new World Athletics Ultimate Championship.
Kerr's travails at the worlds prevented him being pre-selected to represent Scotland in the mile alongside Jake Wightman and Neil Gourley, but his place is likely to be confirmed soon.
At the age of 28, and off the back of that calf injury, he acknowledges that the schedule is gruelling, but it is one he is ready to embrace.
"People roast me for under-racing but my goal is to run all the big championships," Kerr said. "I want to race at home as much as possible, that's the most important thing for me.
"I'm 28 years old and I feel in the best place, physically and mentally, that I've ever been in during my career.
"I've also got some pretty awesome experience behind me to continue to take some large shots at these big medals."
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