In a significant shift for the 2023 athletics season, athlete Josh Wightman has made a striking decision to part ways with his long-time coach and father, Geoff Wightman. The emotional split comes after Josh’s impressive victory over renowned runner Jakob Ingebrigtsen to clinch the gold medal in Eugene, an achievement celebrated while his father provided commentary from within the stadium.
This year has been transformative for Josh, who has embraced not only a new coaching arrangement but also relocated to Manchester to collaborate closely with his partner’s father, John Hartigan. This move was motivated by a desire to be nearer to his physiotherapist, highlighting his commitment to both physical health and competitive performance.
Reflecting on the challenges faced in recent years, Josh admitted, “Honestly, it has been a very, very bleak couple of years for me. A lot of times I doubted if I could make it back to this level.” He emphasized that one of the most crucial changes in his training approach has been learning to respect his body more.
Despite the shifts in coaching and training environment, Wightman expressed deep gratitude towards his previous support system, particularly acknowledging his father’s pivotal role in his career up to this point. “I want to thank my coaching team and my dad for getting me to this point in the first place. He did all the hard work bringing me to this level,” he stated.
The journey to the top is fraught with introspection, and Wightman shared his mindset post-race, saying, “When you get that close you cannot help but think ‘what if I had tried a bit more?’ But I left everything out there.”
Meanwhile, Geoff Wightman, who once again found himself commentating at the venue of his son’s latest triumph, expressed immense pride in Josh’s performance. He remarked on the race, saying, “Jake could not have given any more there, it was pretty much a perfect race from him. I’m very proud.” He added a humorous note regarding Josh’s performance, pointing out a rare dip in speed during the race, for which he has ribbed him in the past. Geoff also mentioned his appreciation for the support from family, stating, “Susan and I are just very proud and we are enjoying the moment with him.”
Looking ahead, Geoff shared that he would be commentating Josh’s medal ceremony the following day, highlighting the emotional investment he has in his son’s achievements. “I will need to have a stiff upper lip for that,” he joked, encapsulating the blend of pride and emotion that comes with family ties in the world of competitive sports.
