The final day of the USATF Indoor Championships commenced on a great note. With Noah Lyles taking the world lead by winning the 60m finals, the event already served thrill to its spectators. However, the 1500m virtuoso Hobbs Kessler ended the day on a bitter note, as he finished second after his compatriot Cole Hocker clinched the victory.
The 20-year-old Kessler clocked in at 3:38.76, a fraction less than the winning time of 3:37.51. Nevertheless, after trouncing Jake Wightman at the New Balance Grand Prix in the 1500m, Kessler faced his biggest upset with his USATF Indoor Championships’ second-place finish in 1500m.
A champion once again…@cole_hocker wins his second career U.S. indoor 1500m title in 3:37.51 – closed his final lap in 26.76s.
World road mile champion and record holder @hobbs_kessler qualifies for his first global championship track team with his runner-up finish in… pic.twitter.com/q0fVYSRhiH
— CITIUS MAG (@CitiusMag) February 17, 2024
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However, at the New Balance Gran Prix, nobody anticipated Kessler’s maneuver to shine through when Jake Wightman lined up alongside him. But Wightman’s hiatus may have cost him a win he worked towards. Let’s take a look at the event in which the North American U20 record holder in 1500m unfurled his victory flags.
USATF Indoor Championships: A path paved with gold
Kessler’s track record isn’t average at all. The 2021 Gatorade National Track and Field Athlete of the Year has several path-breaking wins under his belt. Competing professionally for the giant brand Adidas, the American high school indoor mile record holder clocked in at 3:33.66 to win the New Balance Grand Prix in 1500m. Being younger than many athletes of the measure who are eyeing the Olympics this year, Kessler’s 2023 Road Running Championships performance was not only phenomenal but also record-breaking.
READ MORE: Millrose Games: Hobbs Kelser Reveals Training Strategy With Coach, Days After Losing to Yared Nuguse
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Outpacing a formidable field of contenders, the 20-year-old earned a time of 3:56.13, crushing the long-standing world record time of 4:01.21. Interestingly, the latter time was set by a US homeboy Sam Prakel in 2023 itself. This win came along with an accolade from track icon Noah Lyles. Resorting to his X, he had written, “Congratulations, @hobbs_kessler, for becoming a World Champion and World Record Holder in the Road Mile”.
Congratulations @hobbs_kessler for becoming a World Champion and World Recored Holder in the Road Mile!!
— Noah Lyles, OLY (@LylesNoah) October 1, 2023
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However, after adding several accolades to his already impressive resume, Kessler, though finished second at the 2024 USATF Indoor Championships, he is girded up to defend his title at the Olympics. Hence, Kessler may reign on top in no time.
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