Volkswacht Bodensee - 'Not myself' but defending champ Ingebrigtsen into 5,000m final

The Norwegian was left punching the air as he crossed the line in eighth place in the second of two heats, with the top eight qualifying for the final on Sunday.

"I gave my all," said Ingebrigtsen. "I am not myself. I had to do what I could today.

"I was not sure I would make the final but here I am. I don't have any idea what I am going to do in the final. I will try my best.

"Can it be a medal for Norway? I don't know, maybe. We will see."

Coming into the championships, Ingebrigtsen had been laid low with an achilles injury that saw him miss all of the outdoor season.

He picked up his injury after completing a rare world indoor double over 1,500m and 3,000m in Nanjing in March.

All other race favourites went through, notably the strong US trio of Cole Hocker, Nico Young and double Olympic bronze medallist Grant Fisher.

France's Jimmy Gressier, who upset the field to win the 10,000m in Tokyo, also qualified along with Ethiopians Hagos Gebrhiwet and Biniam Mehary.

There was no place, however, for Sweden's 10,000m bronze medallist Andreas Almgren, ninth in his heat, or Dutchman Niels Laros, who pulled up injured.

I.Stoeckli--VB