Ballsy move for Hacker that was fun to watch (even if it didn't pay off)
He probably has no business finishing 5th, I think the move was great
Definitely. In so many of these tactical indoor races the best way for an also-ran to exceed expectations and seeding is to run as if they’re a favorite - at or near the front. Most people lack the confidence and don’t even give themselves the chance.
So impressive from Kerr. Perfect racing. But the field more or less handed it to him
Not at all the case. They made the pace weird and he had to get extremely physical many times. Both Hacker and Barega forced him wide. He got boxed/shuffled legally a bunch. If not for some well-placed shoves and his pristine fitness, he’s where Yared was.
I thought both 3k winners ran great tactical races. Kerr's was certainly more physical, but he wasn't the only one, and it wasn't outrageous. He did a great job of knowing where he needed to be and when he needed to be there, and then got it done.
I love Kerr but he was a bit of a bully out there. Anyone see the last time Barega passed him he literally just threw any elbow out to impede him?
It wasn't even a discreet elbow, he threw an open palm out into Barega's path to try to prevent the pass. Wide elbows or boxing someone in are one thing, this move was just poor sportsmanship IMO.
That clown in dead last is gonna get lapped twice. He better move out to lane 4 and stay there
don't disrespect an athlete at a global final when you're at home wrestling with your VPN
even the worst runner at a global championship is better than you
That Afgan dude got in through some sort of WA charity spot, his PR is only 9:30. There are 1000's of high schoolers (including a good number of girls) that are better than him. Frankly ridiculous of WA to let in somebody that on their best day is nothing but a hazard for the real runners.
No reason Nuguse should’ve been in 4th with 50 m to go. Hacker looked like he wanted to win more than Nuguse out there. Nuguse is a 3:43 miler. You gotta take over.
Josh is an 8:00 2 miler 1500m WC. Barega ran 12:43 as an 18 y.o. Wale has run a 7:24i 3k. Nuguse has been running at this level for 1 year. He still finished 2nd.
Really hope Hocker becomes the guy because no one else from US is touching Kerr or Jakob
Nuguse and Fisher are still legitimate challengers (Nuguse has beat Kerr multiple times, both of them have now been handed Ls by Kerr during indoors). Hopefully Hocker (maybe Kessler) can reach this status soon, but they haven't earned that yet. A global indoor silver medal is still a good race for Nuguse. He gets to learn from a Kerr masterclass that he hopefully can counter by outdoors.
Nuguse used to beat Kerr sure but the difference is that Kerr got better and runs with edge. Nuguse may have peaked.
Kerr is a beast now. Total killer. Maybe Yared is just a touch TOO mellow.
....
You're correct on all three statements, ^ared definitely needs some killer instinct and conqueror spirit to go with his immense talent.
He is way, Way, WAY too mellow and don't GO AFTER the positioning, to setup for the W, with authority.
I borrowed the text below from the famous speech at the opening of the movie Patton. Yared needs to commit this to body and soul….if he really wants to take on the likes of Kerr and Jakob.
“When you were kids, you all admired the champion marble shooter, the fastest runner, the big league ball players, the toughest boxers. Americans love a winner and will not tolerate a loser. Americans play to win all the time. Now, I wouldn't give a hoot in hell for a man who lost and laughed. That's why Americans have never lost and will never lose a (1500). Because the very thought of losing is hateful to Americans.” George Patton
I love Kerr but he was a bit of a bully out there. Anyone see the last time Barega passed him he literally just threw any elbow out to impede him? lol wtf, Jakob better wear football pads when they race.
At the same time this is how I wished Solinsky would have raced. Barega would have knocked Solinsky off the track.
Come on, man! The 1500 at global level is always a bit of a battle. Shoving, barging, getting spiked, it's all in the game. It's even harder indoors
I understand some pushing at the start but Kerr’s fouling was egregious. Admittedly I don’t really like the guy so maybe that is coloring my opinion, but I think it was too much. At one point he even put his arm out trying to prevent Barega from making a perfectly legal pass on the outside.
Yes that was his most egregious. Barega went to his outside to pass and he attempted a stiff-arm. He also decked Barega for slightly slowing which was out there, too. Otherwise it was standard just a lot of it.
when he saw Kerr go, you gotta go with him, cant wait that long
Absolutely.
It was a burn up. Kerr took off and didn’t look back. You’ve just got to go with it.
I'd have more respect for the performance if he went for it and didn't podium. Hackers performance is more impressive to me than positioning for runner up. At least act like you wanna win.
