From the heartbreak of a 1500m disqualification to the thrill of 5000m gold, Cole Hocker’s World Athletics Championships journey was nothing short of cinematic. The Olympic champion, a top favorite in the 1500m, saw his dreams crash when officials ruled that his jolt against Germany’s Robert Farken impeded progress. “I would have liked it to be a little bit cleaner, but it was what it was,” he shrugged. But Hocker refused to be defined by that setback. On the final day, he soared, claiming gold in the 5000m and turning despair into triumph.

The 5000m run was no joke for him either. With just one lap remaining, the 1500m Olympic Champion sat in 12th place. When things looked hard for the athlete, he unleashed his signature kick, storming past the field to claim victory in 12:58.30. Comin

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