Cole Hocker completed a journey from despair to glory at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on Saturday (20 September).
The USA’s Olympic 1500m champion was disqualifed from the semi-finals of his pet event on Monday, but showed off his trademark finishing kick to take gold in the 5000m in 12:58.30.
Belgium’s Isaac Kimeli took silver ahead of France’s 10,000m gold medallist Jimmy Gressier.
After an injury-marred season, Paris 2024 Olympic 5000m champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen finished down in 10th place.
After a slow start, Grant Fisher and US teammate Nico Young tried to stretch the field out. Ethiopia’s Hagos Gebrhiwet took his turn at the front just before halfway but, as the pace slowed, Ingebrigtsen decided to move to the head of affairs.
The challengers were bunching up behind the Norwegian with 600m to go, and Ingebrigtsen faded as the bell rang out.
Biniam Mehary was the first to strike for home, but Hocker looked ominously good as he eased into contention on the outside with 200m to go. Kimeli went into the lead, but the Indianapolis native was in control and took over in the home straight.
Gressier held on for bronze ahead of Australia’s Ky Robinson with Mehary fifth.