Tokyo (AFP) – American Cole Hocker sprinted to victory in the men’s 5,000 metres at the world championships in Tokyo on Sunday, making up for his disqualification in the 1,500m. The Olympic 1,500m champion timed 12min 58.30sec for gold at Japan’s National Stadium. He had been excluded from the final of the 1,500m after he was adjudged to have jostled his competitors in the semi-final, and a USA team appeal was rejected.
“I wanted to end the world championships on my terms, especially after how I prepared all year for this,” said Hocker. “I felt I was robbed in the 1,500m. I knew I had the opportunity today, that I had the legs to take this field.” Belgium’s Kenyan-born Isaac Kimeli took silver in 12:58.78, with France’s Jimmy Gressier claiming a bronze medal to add to his shock 10,000m gold.
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Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen came into the race as defending champion but had sat out the entire outdoor season. The effort proved too much on the night for the Norwegian, who eventually came 10th in 13:02.00. Ingebrigtsen had tried to dictate the pace of the 12-and-a-half lap race, taking the lead with four laps to run. However, he lost that lead with 600 metres to go and was never in contention for a medal.
It was a tight affair down the far straight of the final lap, and off the bend, Hocker sat in fourth. However, the American turned on the afterburners to pass his rivals with the finish line in sight. “I had a lot of bodies ahead of me but I felt very strong, enough to pass them one by one,” said Hocker. “Our last 5km champion (Bernard) Lagat was someone I grew up watching. This is a huge step to win this gold like he did.”
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