WC or Olympic semifinalist most likely IMO. Maybe if everything breaks right he finishes 6th/7th in a final.
And yes, something like 3:31 in the right race.
I think if it was his entire focus maybe 3:30, but again this is good for regular season/rounds. It doesn’t medal in the final though maybe he could finish as high as 4/5
Friendly reminder that everyone also said this about Donavan Brazier after his 3:35.
These situations are not remotely similar
Random 3:35 with a 52 last lap at an intersquad by Brazier is VERY different from organized attempts at a PR against a world class field from Arop
Brazier also showed obvious potential in the 1500 from HS
Donny's 'random 3:35' with a killer last lap had LetsRun saying he was a 3:31 guy. So he then jumped in a competitive, evenly paced race and ran a 3:37, 4 seconds back from the winner.
He could maybe pop a 333 with a fast finish to qualify then hope the Olympics go slower than when Centro won. Centro would have won a fast race that day too though.
Yes - he is extremely talented, but it would take sometime like 2-3 years of focus. His ceiling is less high than the 800m. He is like the male equivalent to Athing Mu.
He is much more gifted in the 800 - he has twice just front ran a 1:43, making it look so easy. He is an absolute beast. Honestly, I would like to see an all out 400m from him. I think if he focused on that, he could go 43 something.
Compared to every 1500 guy, Marco looks like a body builder. Despite his size, I think he can likely go 3:31-3:32 with appropriate strategy and kick.
If, hypothetically, he were to drop weight and train specifically for the 1500m, where do you see his potential? Could he be a top world contender?
I think he’s got a similar skill set to Brazier. He’s a super balanced 800m runner who can run world class caliber 400/1500 marks but probably not champion caliber at either. I think 3:32-3:33 is possible but 3:32-3:33 doesn’t even get you much in a tactical race in a championship setting today. I think he could make a world/olympic team, especially in Canada and that’s about it.
Compared to every 1500 guy, Marco looks like a body builder. Despite his size, I think he can likely go 3:31-3:32 with appropriate strategy and kick.
If, hypothetically, he were to drop weight and train specifically for the 1500m, where do you see his potential? Could he be a top world contender?
Considering worlds are in September and he is running the GST right now, he might very well be very close to training specifically for the 1500m right now.
Compared to every 1500 guy, Marco looks like a body builder. Despite his size, I think he can likely go 3:31-3:32 with appropriate strategy and kick.
If, hypothetically, he were to drop weight and train specifically for the 1500m, where do you see his potential? Could he be a top world contender?
I have not followed Arop long. In fact, the last 2 days' races are the first where I've even taken note of him. In my view,
Of course Marco has the potential to be a top world contender in the 1500m. His showing during the races of the last 2 days alone suggest this! It has been a long time since I've heard announcers- or any press- mention a negative-split 800m. To see him dominate a professional 800m in a rigorous race doing a negative split 1.43.35 (in s.s.) is simple proof that he has fundamentally rethought the event. To almost orchestrate the 1500m unfolding and then lose only adequately to just a few top 1500m specialists, is very telling for his potential in the event.
Take a moment to consider his physical stature. Marco Arop has a build and form akin to other Kenyan "giants" of 800m/middle distance. See: David Rudisha, Asbel Kiprop, Caleb Ndiku (~1:53 last 800m in 5k v. Mo Farah) (and when did someone last see Rudisha race a 1500m? Maybe 2007??)
When Marco took the lead early in the 1500m, this did not surprise me. He has rethought the 800m and worked it to perfection, it seems, utilizing the fitness which he has accrued up until right now. Simply replicating his ramp-up method over 1.5k would make perfect sense in a championship-style or similar race. His move with 300m to go also makes sense, because his lengthy 800m-style stride may not match the last 100m accelerating kick that the 1500m guys do hone so effectively, and he knows how hit the last lap the exact same way in his race. His physical build completely compliments his racing style, as well.
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This post was edited 6 minutes after it was posted.
Yes - he is extremely talented, but it would take sometime like 2-3 years of focus. His ceiling is less high than the 800m. He is like the male equivalent to Athing Mu.
He is much more gifted in the 800 - he has twice just front ran a 1:43, making it look so easy. He is an absolute beast. Honestly, I would like to see an all out 400m from him. I think if he focused on that, he could go 43 something.
In response to the other poster, it’s hard to lose muscle. If he’s at the top of his game in the 800m, it will be the same for the 1500m and he doesn’t need 2-3 years of focus.
Compared to every 1500 guy, Marco looks like a body builder. Despite his size, I think he can likely go 3:31-3:32 with appropriate strategy and kick.
If, hypothetically, he were to drop weight and train specifically for the 1500m, where do you see his potential? Could he be a top world contender?
He probably could if he did drop weight and trained accordingly, but his ceiling in the 1500m is nowhere near as high as it is in the 1500m. Like another poster said, especially with his muscular structure, I think he's a bit more similar to a Juantorena type.
Hell, I see him more likely to be be the first person to go 43 and 1:41. That would be pretty awesome, and I think we may see that soon someday, whoever it may be