{"id":245262,"date":"2026-05-26T11:46:57","date_gmt":"2026-05-26T11:46:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/26\/dame-denise-lewis-predicts-spine-tingling-josh-kerr-and-jake-wightman-battle\/"},"modified":"2026-05-26T11:46:57","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T11:46:57","slug":"dame-denise-lewis-predicts-spine-tingling-josh-kerr-and-jake-wightman-battle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/26\/dame-denise-lewis-predicts-spine-tingling-josh-kerr-and-jake-wightman-battle\/","title":{"rendered":"Dame Denise Lewis predicts &#8216;spine-tingling&#8217; Josh Kerr and Jake Wightman battle"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_f16c80\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Two-time Commonwealth gold-medallist Lewis is expecting fireworks between the rapid Scots on home soil<\/h2>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"30780418\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\"><cite aria-label=\"Image: bwfudge\/Instagram\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: bwfudge\/Instagram)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A showdown between home favourites Josh Kerr and Jake Wightman at Glasgow 2026 would be \u2018the stuff of dreams\u2019, according to Dame Denise Lewis.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Scots, who are both world champions over 1500m, will face off for gold when the Commonwealth Mile race returns to the schedule.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">For both, it appears a last realistic chance at adding a Commonwealth Games title to their respective illustrious medal collections. Wightman claimed a stunning 1500m silver at last year\u2019s World Athletics Championships in Tokyo \u2013 being pipped to gold by two-hundredths of a second by Portugal\u2019s Isaac Nader \u2013 to reannounce himself on the global stage after an injury-ravaged spell post his 2022 triumph.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Two-time Olympic medallist and 2023 world champion Kerr sustained a grade two calf tear during the final in the Japanese capital but the 28-year-old is targeting a mile world record at the London Diamond League, two weeks before he goes for Commonwealth gold on home soil. And the prospect of watching both Kerr and Wightman fight it out is something Lewis cannot wait for.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cIf those two arrive healthy, in the same event, sparks will fly,\u201d said the two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist. The difficulty for the neutral is, who do you go for? We adore both. They\u2019re both world champions and everyone totally adores them. It\u2019s the stuff of dreams.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cIt could be spine-tingling down the home straight. So, if you haven\u2019t got your tickets, get them, because there are going to be some great matchups and head-to-heads, and Kerr against Wightman is a mouth-watering prospect.\u201d<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-36193368\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36193368\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The BBC pundit announced the news on Instagram\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailyrecord.co.uk\/article36193368.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/3_Paris-2024-Olympic-Games-Day-Eight.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailyrecord.co.uk\/article36193368.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/3_Paris-2024-Olympic-Games-Day-Eight.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailyrecord.co.uk\/article36193368.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/3_Paris-2024-Olympic-Games-Day-Eight.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailyrecord.co.uk\/article36193368.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/3_Paris-2024-Olympic-Games-Day-Eight.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Lewis became a dame in 2023 for her work organising Birmingham 2022 (Credit: PA)\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Lewis became a dame in 2023 for her work organising Birmingham 2022 (Credit: PA)<cite aria-label=\"Image: PA\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: PA)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Lewis was president of Commonwealth Games England, a role now filled by Dame Laura Kenny, when the future of the event was thrown into serious doubt. The Australian state of Victoria was originally meant to stage the Games but pulled out of hosting duties in July 2023 due to financial worries.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Scotland\u2019s largest city, which also hosted the Games in 2014, stepped in and Lewis feels the significance of them doing so cannot be overstated.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cIt was a massive call from Glasgow, and at really short notice too,\u201d she said. \u201cI was still president of Commonwealth Games England, and all the Commonwealth nations were almost on pause because we didn\u2019t know what was going to happen. There was such uncertainty.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cIt was not just about the host, it was very much about the athletes trying to build their careers, having moments to shine and showcase their sport, and potentially not having that opportunity. So, it is a big deal. I\u2019m sure the athletes are very grateful. I\u2019m just glad it\u2019s going ahead, and hopefully we can now all look forward to a healthy and a more secure future for the Commonwealth Games.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Games will also have the biggest para sport medal tally of any in its history, and for the first time ever, a para sport \u2013 para powerlifting \u2013 will have the honour of being the first medal event of the competition. Lewis added: \u201cPara sport sits right at the heart of the Commonwealth Games, and this is a great example of what we should achieve.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The heptathlete also hailed the importance of the King\u2019s Baton Relay, which is taking place between May 26-31 and <a aria-label=\"being supported by Team England\u2019s official automotive partner, GeelyLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/linkprotect.cudasvc.com\/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fteamengland.org%2fnews%2fteam-england-announces-new-partnership-with-geely-auto-uk&amp;c=E,1,dannAmwl6J2M8wfvWmqvBS_Y3Rsux7KvolIgEardFpoGEL3LZIlsNSNfLKNOYPuQ6P0hlIkADecJuiE-zy92zimcBeL4K8j81ONCgr-TLGGEyz8BXw,,&amp;typo=1\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">being supported by Team England\u2019s official automotive partner, Geely<\/a>. \u201cThe baton symbolises connectivity from country to country as it moves around the Commonwealth,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s that call to the attention of the Commonwealth that the Games are happening, and that people and communities can get engaged with the baton and its journey. There\u2019s that level of anticipation when you know you\u2019re going to be one of those baton relay runners.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cPeople will feel a sense of pride that they are representing their community. They\u2019ve got family and friends who can get involved. It is just very special to be part of it, to witness it, and for that culmination [of the relay] when it arrives in the stadium for the first time.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Team England are Ready to Win at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Keep up to date on <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/teamengland.org\/. \" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">https:\/\/teamengland.org\/.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/sport\/other-sports\/athletics\/a-mouth-watering-prospect--37196754\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Two-time Commonwealth gold-medallist Lewis is expecting fireworks between the rapid Scots on home soil (Image: bwfudge\/Instagram) A showdown between home favourites Josh Kerr and Jake Wightman at Glasgow 2026 would be \u2018the stuff of dreams\u2019, according to Dame Denise Lewis. The Scots, who are both world champions over 1500m, will face off for gold when [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":245263,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6802],"tags":[828,72734,30800],"class_list":{"0":"post-245262","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-athetics","8":"tag-commonwealth-games","9":"tag-glasgow","10":"tag-world-records"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/245262","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=245262"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/245262\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/245263"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=245262"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=245262"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=245262"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}