Kingston heats up this weekend as Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track debuts. The format isn’t just new, but it’s revolutionary, which makes Athletes compete outside their specialties, forcing track stars to become versatile competitors across unfamiliar distances. America’s Cole Hocker faces perhaps the weekend’s boldest challenge and stepping out of his 1500m comfort zone to battle Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi in the 800m, and the Paris Olympics 2024 Gold medallist has something to say about that!
“I feel like I kind of carry speed with me more so than I carry the endurance,” Hocker reveals about facing the 800m Olympic champion to CITIUS MAG Youtube channel. “It’s not every day you race the Olympic champion in the 800 meter…. I think I can get a little sharper… speed that I carry with me.”
When asked about racing without pacemakers, Hocker dismisses the concern. “It’s funny that’s such a big talking point, and obviously you know I’ve talked about it, but I feel like as an American we race so much at trials….. so it doesn’t seem like that big of a deal to me.”
His strategy for the dual challenge? “Goal number one on the first day with the 1500… finish as high as possible.” The unique format doesn’t change his competitive mindset. “You don’t technically have to win one of the races to win the thing, but I always want to win the race….. It’s easier that the 1500s first, especially for us 1500 guys….what I have left for the eight hundred.”
The story is developing…
The post “It’s Funny”: Cole Hocker Gets Candid About Ditching 1500m Comfort to Face Olympic Champions in Grand Slam Track appeared first on EssentiallySports.