USA’s Chris Hocker storms from pack, pulls massive upset in 1500m

PARIS — American Cole Hocker delivered one of the all-time Olympic shocks when he won the 1,500 meters gold with a stunning finish to blast past British world champion Josh Kerr as defending champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen faded to fourth on Tuesday.

Once Kerr had eased past the Norwegian on the final straight it seemed the Briton was on course to add gold to the bronze he took in Tokyo but he did not reckon with Hocker, who found a path up the inside to take one of the most unexpected golds in the history of the storied event.

His winning time of three minutes 27.65 was an Olympic record and a massive personal best by more than three seconds. Kerr posted a national record 3:27.79 and Yared Nuguse took bronze for the U.S. in another huge pb of 3:27.80.

“I am just so proud of myself to find a way to win,” Hocker told the BBC. “I put myself in the position and my body took me over the line.”

The time catapulted Hocker to be the seventh-fastest man in history and Kerr the eighth, and even if the hi-tech shoes and track make historical time comparisons difficult, it was still a gripping race.

World athletics chief Sebastian Coe, still the only double 1,500m Olympic champion, said last week he was expecting a “race for the ages” and, if it was not the outcome he expected, he certainly got one, as seven of the first nine finalists set personal bests.

The race had been billed as a showdown between Ingebrigtsen and Kerr, who have been swapping barbs for a year, and the Norwegian set a scorching pace from the start to lead coming into the last 200.

Briton Kerr, just as he did in last year’s world championships, surged past him as they hit the final straight, however, and looked set for victory, only for Hocker to find a way through.

“I put a performance out there today which I was extremely proud of. I focused on my controllables, I ran the best and the fastest tactical 1,500m I have ever done in my life,” Kerr said.

Ingebrigtsen finished fourth in a time faster than his Olympic record set in Tokyo, but the double world champion over 5,000m has another shot at a medal as he goes in the heats over that distance on Wednesday morning.

“It didn’t go according to plan but I felt very strong in the first couple of laps and that’s why I had difficulty telling the pace because it was quite fast,” he said. ” … The guys finishing in front of me did a great race. You can’t really tell when you’re hitting the wall when you hit it. It was just a little bit too early today.”

–American Gabby Thomas finally claimed the global title she has promised for so long when she delivered a dominant performance to take Olympic 200-meter gold on Tuesday, denying silver medalist Julien Alfred a sprint double.

Thomas, 27, took bronze in Tokyo and silver in last year’s world championships, and she has been vocal about her quest for gold ever since.

She was in control throughout the final, coming home in 21.83 seconds and breaking into a wide smile of disbelief, hands on her head, when she crossed the finish line.

Alfred, who claimed Saint Lucia’s first Olympic medal when she won the 100m on Saturday, was fastest out of the blocks but was a clear second in 22.08, with Brittany Brown taking bronze for the U.S. in 20.20.

“I’m tired. Long five days,” Alfred said. “I did feel ready for the 200m tonight. I feel good, no complaints at all. This means a lot. First Olympics, to go back with gold and silver, I can’t ask for more than that.”

Thomas arrived in Paris with the world’s fastest time this season of 21.78 and made an emphatic statement in Monday’s semifinals when she pulled away from the field with ease over the final 50m to cross the line smiling in 21.86 seconds.

There was more frustration for British duo Dina Asher-Smith and Daryll Neita who finished fourth and fifth.

Jamaica’s reigning world champion Shericka Jackson withdrew from Sunday’s heats due to injury.

–Reuters, Special to Field Level Media