Jakob Ingebrigtsen, a two-time Olympic gold medallist, two-time world champion, and holder of five world records. In early 2026, he underwent Achilles tendon surgery. For any professional runner, this is an injury that can end a career. Yet just 23 days later, the Norwegian middle- and long-distance prodigy was back on the track.

Faced with the fear of whether he could return to the peak after the injury, he did not shy away. Instead, he chose to study and plan with his team and make the most rational decision. Today, he has not only recovered smoothly but also returns to the start line wearing a COROS co-branded watch he personally helped design — "Be Fearless, Go Beyond" (Fearless · Beyond).

Recently, he gave an exclusive interview to Paoye, revealing in detail his rehabilitation after the Achilles surgery, his unique experiences with acupuncture treatment, his approach to data-driven training, and the design story behind the co-branded watch with its "gold accents".

Injuries are not new to Jakob, but Achilles surgery is one of the biggest challenges he has faced in his career.

"I'd been injured for a long time, so surgery was naturally the last option. That's why it took me so long to make the decision," he said in an interview. "Because once you have surgery, there's always a risk you won't come back. The operation might not succeed, and recovery is not guaranteed."

That uncertainty has stopped countless athletes. But Jacob chose to counter the fear with "planning" and "a team". He and his team did a lot of research and found the most suitable people and approach. "If you only do the very best you can of what you are capable of, you give yourself the greatest chance of success." Fortunately, so far, his surgery has been very successful.

He returned to running just 23 days after the surgery. That pace shocked the outside world, but for Jacob it was only the beginning of a long recovery. During the period when he couldn't run, he mainly used an elliptical to maintain fitness, for example 14 sets of 3-minute high-intensity efforts. He also cycled, with one ride lasting over three hours.

It's worth mentioning that Jacob's recovery didn't rely solely on Western medicine. He revealed in an interview that he receives acupuncture almost every day and has been doing so for about 15 years.

"I have a physiotherapist who specializes in traditional Chinese medicine, especially acupuncture. He's a very good friend of mine and a member of my team," Jakob said. This therapist travels with him to training camps and competitions and also stays with him in his hometown.

"I like this treatment; I've been receiving it for nearly 15 years." For a Norwegian athlete, consistently using traditional Chinese medicine over the long term not only shows Jakob's openness to recovery methods, but also reflects his meticulous attention to detail.

When asked who gave him the greatest strength during difficult times, Jakob didn't mention his coach or teammates; he said, "Maybe my wife and my daughter."

The injury kept him from training and racing as often as before, and instead gave him more time at home. "That's the positive side of being injured. I can be more involved in my daughter's upbringing and education, watching her grow day by day." He said this with a gentle tone.

Of course, he also admitted he is really looking forward to being "one hundred percent back to running and traveling." But it was this unexpected family time that nourished him emotionally even as his body recovered.

As a COROS brand ambassador, Jacob uses his COROS watch and Training Hub every day to monitor data like heart rate and training load. But does data ever cause anxiety? For example, when he sees an abnormal heart rate or a drop in load?

Jakob's answer was very clear: "Having troughs and negative data is important too, because you can use it to see. 'Okay, this is bad, this is useless, but this is exactly how it's supposed to present.' You need to see both ends of the perfect line."

In his view, small changes—whether it's recovery status, training effect, or heart rate on easy runs—are all worth recording and analyzing. Since partnering with COROS, data collection has become smoother, and he can plan his training with greater precision. "I have a lot of good experience and knowledge, and we discuss everything so I can continue to improve."

Not long ago, Jakob was deeply involved in designing the co-branded watch COROS PACE 4 Jakob Edition, from the dial to the quick-release strap and the custom watch face interface. When asked which design element he liked best, he didn't hesitate: "Color."

"I really like the dark, black base with gold accents and a gold case. I think it looks very cool." He described the watch as a " good package " (a good bundle). It's lightweight, easy to wear, fully featured, and also stylish enough.

For Jacob Kiplimo, running gear is first and foremost a tool that must serve practical needs. But if it can look cool without sacrificing function, that's a big plus. This “ Be Fearless, Go Beyond ” themed watch embodies that philosophy.

We also asked Jacob Kiplimo a classic dilemma: if you could only choose one, would you break the 1500 m world record or win another Olympic gold medal?

His answer came without hesitation: “Olympic gold medal. Because world records will one day be broken by someone else, but an Olympic gold medal is eternal.”

Of course, he hasn't given up the pursuit of records. He still hopes to break every world record from 1500 m to the marathon. “I'm not saying I will definitely achieve it, but I will do everything I can to try. If I don't succeed, I might be a little disappointed, but that's fair.”

As for the marathon, he admits he's motivated by the sub-2-hour barrier: "If others can do it, so can I." However, he is currently still focused on middle-distance events. When asked how he would introduce himself to Chinese runners, he said: "I'm Jacob Kiplimo, a 1500m and 5000m specialist, and the double gold medallist at the 2027 World Championships in Beijing." That sentence contained both realism and ambition.

At the end of the interview, Jacob Kiplimo offered a plain and powerful message to Chinese runners who are battling injury, setbacks or fear: "Keep moving forward. Everyone has setbacks, everyone goes through the same things. I am no different from any other runner in the world. I love running; I will probably run for the rest of my life. One injury or one setback does not define who I am."

He advised people to relax and do their best each day, sticking with it week by week, month by month. "I've always seen these things as challenges, because challenges are where you learn and test yourself. When you face challenges you learn more, and in the end you come out stronger."

From Achilles tendon surgery to returning to running after 23 days, from daily acupuncture to a golden watch, from data monitoring to family companionship, Jakob Ingebrigtsen's story is far more than medals and records. It is about how a top athlete faces fear, embraces science, respects tradition, cherishes family, and ultimately sets out again with a "fearless" posture.

As he said: "If you do your best within your abilities, you have the greatest chance of success." That sentence may well be the best coda to his career.

In the 2026 season and beyond, we will continue to see him running on the track. And regardless of the outcome, he has already won the more important race — the one within himself.