Or Biniam Mihary. Ran 26:37 last year and 26:43 this year, as well as 12:45 over 5000. Steve Cram always says, you back the Ethiopians in a kick
Mehary is contesting the 5000m though, and we are discussing the 10000m here, or so I thought.
Ah, missed that Ethiopia had selected it's team. Seems he's only been named as a reserve. Seems a bit odd to me, I'd take him over Kejelcha, who I think would be better int he 5000
I think the race in Tokyo will be very different than last night & it will make it harder for Nico. I put Grant at a slightly better chance at gold. Kejelcha will make this race fast, at least after mile 2. Remember, Kejelcha beat Nico & Graham a month ago in Paris (running at WR pace before popping). Nico suffered in trying to go with that pace. Kejelcha is not afraid to front run & after Paris, where a push worked, I’d be surprised if that wasn’t his modus operandi in Tokyo. With Barega’s recent range & Aregawi’s late closing kick, this will be an amazing race. I also think Graham will be in the mix all the way to 100m to go. As another poster said, this could be similar USA result as the Paris 1500m. If I had to pick now, & the race plays out as I think:
1.) Fisher
2.) Aregawi
3.) Young
4.) Barega
5.) Blanks
?.) Kejelcha fades in last 100m
Also, Almgren is on fire this year & Gressier is much improved. The Kenyans are a less impressive this year, but Kurgat is real.
This could be an absolute classic race.
This post was edited 5 minutes after it was posted.
If it's significantly faster at World's it'll be a totally different race that may suit Fisher more. I guess we'll find out in September
I see where you’re coming from but throughout Nico’s ENTIRE career a fast flat out race from the gun has always suited him. If the race truly is sub 27 he can redline longer than anyone. I still give the nod to Nico in a fast race especially considering his 12:45
I think the race in Tokyo will be very different than last night & it will make it harder for Nico. I put Grant at a slightly better chance at gold. Kejelcha will make this race fast, at least after mile 2. Remember, Kejelcha beat Nico & Graham a month ago in Paris (running at WR pace before popping). Nico suffered in trying to go with that pace. Kejelcha is not afraid to front run & after Paris, where a push worked, I’d be surprised if that wasn’t his modus operandi in Tokyo. With Barega’s recent range & Aregawi’s late closing kick, this will be an amazing race. I also think Graham will be in the mix all the way to 100m to go. As another poster said, this could be similar USA result as the Paris 1500m. If I had to pick now, & the race plays out as I think:
1.) Fisher
2.) Aregawi
3.) Young
4.) Barega
5.) Blanks
?.) Kejelcha fades in last 100m
Also, Almgren is on fire this year & Gressier is much improved. The Kenyans are a less impressive this year, but Kurgat is real.
If it's significantly faster at World's it'll be a totally different race that may suit Fisher more. I guess we'll find out in September
I see where you’re coming from but throughout Nico’s ENTIRE career a fast flat out race from the gun has always suited him. If the race truly is sub 27 he can redline longer than anyone. I still give the nod to Nico in a fast race especially considering his 12:45
Did you see last year? Nico even told Jon he thinks he’s better in the 5 than 10. If Nico gets beat in the 10K it will be because it’s a grueling race in the heat, not footspeed I don’t think.
Id power rank it right now:
1) Aregawi
2) Fisher
3) Kejelcha
4) Young
5) Mehary
6) Almgren
7) Barega
8) Kipkurui
9) Kurgat
10) Blanks
11) Wildschuut
12) Schrub
Im assuming no Samuel/Ahmed. Kejelchas tactics are of course erratic. I’d rate Grant no. 1 in that but Aregawi is greatly improved, and Meharys instincts seem decent.