Cole MF Hocker takes it to the WORLD CHAMP. Doubters, what do you say now?

Relax kid.

Title is misleading. Tim easily ahead of Hocker then slows before the finish line and Hocker then passes him at the end, that’s what the video shows. Hocker was sprinting hard. It wasn’t the easy jog every one makes it out to be. Yes he be Tim because Tim slowed. Title makes it sound that Hocker destroyed him. Not so!

I just watched both videos of semis. There’s going to be 4 to 6 guys that are going to get after it. Could be 4to 6 under 3:30.

Finance Bro wrote:

I find it hilarious that you say that there is no chance Hocker wins or medals because he is unproven yet above you say that Abel Kipsang will battle it out with Tim for gold when he, before these Olympics, was just as unproven as Cole. You're literally giving him a chance to win gold based on nothing other than the fact that he's Kenyan. Your argument sucks, and you'll be wrong on Saturday.

I watched the semis, dude. Kipsang is now an OR holder and looked fantastic while doing it. Did you miss that?

Finance Bro wrote:

Sopa de SabadelI wrote:

Yeah right. Just like all these fanboys that came to the Centro thread after the semis, lol. I will bet all I got that Hocker won't win and also not even gonna be in the "white" top 3. This final will blow his roof off.

Now Paris is a different topic, if he stays healthy.

I find it hilarious that you say that there is no chance Hocker wins or medals because he is unproven yet above you say that Abel Kipsang will battle it out with Tim for gold when he, before these Olympics, was just as unproven as Cole. You're literally giving him a chance to win gold based on nothing other than the fact that he's Kenyan. Your argument sucks, and you'll be wrong on Saturday.

Right....because it wouldn't' have anything to do with the fact he just set an OR in 3:31 and won his SF heat. Where do you guys come up with this stuff?

Sopa de SabadelI wrote:

Finance Bro wrote:

I find it hilarious that you say that there is no chance Hocker wins or medals because he is unproven yet above you say that Abel Kipsang will battle it out with Tim for gold when he, before these Olympics, was just as unproven as Cole. You're literally giving him a chance to win gold based on nothing other than the fact that he's Kenyan. Your argument sucks, and you'll be wrong on Saturday.

I watched the semis, dude. Kipsang is now an OR holder and looked fantastic while doing it. Did you miss that?

Sorry, are we now giving extra credit for running faster in the semis? Hocker is damned if he does, damned if he doesn't in the eyes of LRC. Does plenty enough to qualify for the final while not doing too much and looking relaxed and the narrative is that he'd get smoked in the second heat. Guy in second heat needlessly kicks it home to run an OR in the semi and suddenly he's a gold medal contender. Guarantee if that was Hocker running way too hard in the semi he'd by getting reamed by the likes of you and the narrative would be that he wasted way too much effort.

Hocker looked good. I doubt his kick is better than the top guys, although probably better than Jacob's, but his sense of when to employ it is great. I can see him medalling. Strange to see Centro out of position when the kicking started. I wonder if there's something physically wrong with him? If not, all he has to show for 3 years with Schumacher is injuries and a fast 5k. Eighth in the World Championships and now non-finalist in the Olympics in his specialty.

AP5000 wrote:

Finance Bro wrote:

I find it hilarious that you say that there is no chance Hocker wins or medals because he is unproven yet above you say that Abel Kipsang will battle it out with Tim for gold when he, before these Olympics, was just as unproven as Cole. You're literally giving him a chance to win gold based on nothing other than the fact that he's Kenyan. Your argument sucks, and you'll be wrong on Saturday.

Right....because it wouldn't' have anything to do with the fact he just set an OR in 3:31 and won his SF heat. Where do you guys come up with this stuff?

Yeah guy comes out of virtually nowhere to cruise to an OR in the semis. A Ngeny record no less. He might cross the line first or second on Saturday but he isn't keeping that medal. If you haven't noticed it's been sort of the elephant in the thread.

No one would be surprised if Kipsang places ahead of Hocker. Literally no one.

When he crosses the line ahead of Tim for "gold" be sure to avert your eyes because the glow will be borderline nuclear detonation.

This is correct.

Speedy Strides Predictions

Men's 1500

1. Hocker

2. Cheruiyot

3. Ingebrigtsen

Finance Bro wrote:

Sorry, are we now giving extra credit for running faster in the semis? Hocker is damned if he does, damned if he doesn't in the eyes of LRC. Does plenty enough to qualify for the final while not doing too much and looking relaxed and the narrative is that he'd get smoked in the second heat. Guy in second heat needlessly kicks it home to run an OR in the semi and suddenly he's a gold medal contender. Guarantee if that was Hocker running way too hard in the semi he'd by getting reamed by the likes of you and the narrative would be that he wasted way too much effort.

Kipsang was the best runner in his semi and kept a gap without strain. Looked more relaxed than Hocker who ran 2s slower.

I'm not trying to damn or crucify Hocker here, but he is not gonna win in an OR. Just stay realistic, top 6 for Hocker amongst a bunch of 3:28-3:31 guys would be huge.

I guess we will see soon enough. Will be expecting you here, lol.

lamplight wrote:

Still don't understand why people were doubting this man...

I think it was mostly Engels’ fans, who have now directed their vitriol towards nuguse

I am trying not to let my fandom of Hocker get in the way of rationality. I'll admit there's wishful thinking in my picks. That being said, IF it's a 3:31 race (which I also happen to think is likely), I think Hocker has as good of a chance as anyone. And since I'm a big fan, that means I pick him to win.

HobbyJOG wrote:

COLE HOCKER is FIRST AND FOREMOST AN AMERICAN.

Therefore : He won't even finish top 6

The gold medal in this event is currently held by an American

Finance Bro wrote:

I am trying not to let my fandom of Hocker get in the way of rationality. I'll admit there's wishful thinking in my picks. That being said, IF it's a 3:31 race (which I also happen to think is likely), I think Hocker has as good of a chance as anyone. And since I'm a big fan, that means I pick him to win.

That's alright. A lot of people here picked Centro to win and said he is "in the mix"too.

I myself am more of a Wightman / Kerr fan, yet still can acknowledge, that they most likely will get beat by Tim, Kipsang and probably Jakob.

Yes, just reviewed the footage of the first semi-final. Hocker may have had an extra gear but he was working hard. On the other hand, Whiteman was striding out with ease and Cheruiyot was very relaxed, almost seemed to be jogging. Both had several gears.

LynxThursday wrote:

Yes, just reviewed the footage of the first semi-final. Hocker may have had an extra gear but he was working hard. On the other hand, Whiteman was striding out with ease and Cheruiyot was very relaxed, almost seemed to be jogging. Both had several gears.

This is an accurate assessment.

I don't get picking Hocker over Wightman in a race he just lost to Wightman in by a decent margin.

Maybe because its a prelim? If Hocker did what Wightman did, you would be in here talking about him burning himself out in a prelim. You continue to move the goalposts everytime Hocker has success. Tool.

Jersey Shore's Finest wrote:

Isn't his 3:50 converted to 3:33?

Yes, and now that he has finally equaled it everybody saying indoor is faster will be the first ones to point out that this time isn’t even an improvement for him. Round and round we go.

wightman did look strong and i would say out of the brits he has the best chance despite having a terrible run at gateshead that was only a few? weeks ago. unlike the sprints i would think these heats would take more out of you so looking really smooth today wont always translate to saturday. without making any more fitness predictions i would add hocker has had the most grueling racing schedule this year including doubles at indoor and outdoor (races within an hour of each other) and its hasnt seemed to slow him down at all. that alone wouldnt be enough of course, but its something to consider. he also seems to be in a good headspace about everything too which will surely come into play given this is the biggest race of the entire fields respective careers. the winner will be the best on that day and given the class of the field that isnt guaranteed to be the guy with the fastest time.