American Athlete Upsets World Champion on US Turf at New Balance Indoor Grand Prix

It’s showtime and the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix has rolled in with a bang. With the anticipation peaking, it was any man’s game until a certain point. The Boston crowd has flocked to have a glimpse of their favorite athletes. The US athletes have come buckled up alongside their British rivals. But Great Britain needs more events to keep up to their winning standards, especially in the 1500m.

The American high school record holder for the indoor mile has unlocked his prowess more with each game. But the inaugural track event of 2024 cemented his position as the reigning champion. But that came at the cost of another champion’s loss.

Hobbs Kessler wins at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix

The 20-year-old US long-distance runner Hobbs Kessler, with the North American U20 record in the 1500 meter, has bested the World Champion Jake Wightman. Shifting the latter to second, Kessler has unfurled his victory flags on home soil. Having spent most of his childhood as a national-caliber rock climber, Kessler always bore a penchant for climbing, until he shifted to long-distance running in his later years. Hailing from the family of the high-school track coach, the World Athletics Road Running Championships 2023 was one of the highlight events of his career. But the one whom he defeated, doesn’t need an introduction.

Jake Wightman, the 1500m virtuoso, had seen better days in 2022. Since Sebastian Coe’s 1500 m title at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, Wightman became the first GB athlete to win a middle-distance gold at the 2022 World Championships. That was enough proof of what a phenom he is. With a couple of more bronze and silver in the 800m, 1000m, and mile category, the 29-year-old has come this far in his career.

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But Hobbs Kessler’s family of runners has played a huge role in nurturing his Olympic dreams. He also competed in the 2021 US Olympic Trials to have a taste of the pace. With another Olympics nearing, it’s time for Kessler to shine brighter on the global stage. With more events lined-up starting next weekend, let’s see how he sharpens his skills.

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