Jakob is probably close to 12:40 potential now, only ~5 sec behind prime Bekele. Being the clearly superior 1500m runner, it seems obvious that Jakob at least would have a fair shot in numerous 5000m scenarios, especially in slower championship races where he could push the last 3-4 laps feeling rather fresh.
In fast races <12:50, Bekele would likely be somewhat fresher and able to clinch it on the final lap, but I think it would have been closer than many here seem to think.
I don't love "Jakob" but I don't think Bekele would beat him in almost every scenario. Bekele was fantastic, "Jakob" is fantastic.
I really wouldn't be extremely surprised if "Jakob" starts breaking world records soon.
Jakob has won just one world championship at 5K. A bit premature to say he could hang with the GOAT in one of the GOAT’s specialty events.
What a nonsense argument.
Going into the 2008 Olymics, Bekele has won no World or Olympic title at 5000. Yet he was not bad at the distance at these games. Gebrselassie has no 5000 title at all, yet in his prime he was as good as Bekele.
With the way he has been dispatching world class fields with ease lately I think we should compare Jakob with prime Bekele. How would he fair in a championship race versus him? How about a diamond league type time trial? What type of tactics would Bekele use to try to beat Jakob and vice versa? Bekele doesn't have the 1500m speed of Jakob but he has dropped 53 second 400s at the end of 12:5x 5ks so if its left down to the last 400 it could be a close race. Jakob is now known for winding up the pace over the last 800-1200 meters and grinding away but thats the exact tactic that Bekele used to obliderete Kipchoge and the rest of the field in the 2008 olympic final 5000m. If Bekele tried winding it up from 2000m out could Jakob stick on him and outkick or would he die out. Maybe the other way around could happen.. discus
Your overstating Jakob’s ability tremendously. Bekele would beat Jakob 100/100. Mo Farah would too. And pretty much any top runner from prior to 2021.
With the way he has been dispatching world class fields with ease lately I think we should compare Jakob with prime Bekele. How would he fair in a championship race versus him? How about a diamond league type time trial? What type of tactics would Bekele use to try to beat Jakob and vice versa? Bekele doesn't have the 1500m speed of Jakob but he has dropped 53 second 400s at the end of 12:5x 5ks so if its left down to the last 400 it could be a close race. Jakob is now known for winding up the pace over the last 800-1200 meters and grinding away but thats the exact tactic that Bekele used to obliderete Kipchoge and the rest of the field in the 2008 olympic final 5000m. If Bekele tried winding it up from 2000m out could Jakob stick on him and outkick or would he die out. Maybe the other way around could happen.. discus
Your overstating Jakob’s ability tremendously. Bekele would beat Jakob 100/100. Mo Farah would too. And pretty much any top runner from prior to 2021.
So, "Jakob" is just some average runner who competes against some 2nd tiers?
What happened to that Cheptegei of 2020, by the way? He seemed like he was going to be the next Bekele, Geb, Komen, or even better. He was for that one race, but since then he's been beatable.