Running aside, he's got the makings of a legendary sysadmin / elite MtG - player. There's something authoritatian about that pony tail which gives him a natural handle of those 19" 48U towers. He might not know it yet, but it's true.
It sounds crazy, but I really think Hocker can win gold in Paris. He doesn't quite have the ceiling of Kerr or Jakob on their best day, but if they overcook their races with too many early moves, Hocker is well positioned to be the one who benefits. He ran very similar splits last night as Kerr did in Budapest
Nuguse ran the type of race he needed to in order to give himself the best chance to win - he knows Hocker has a stronger kick than him, so setting a slow pace would only play into that. It just so happened that Hocker’s close enough to him in fitness to hang on and then separate in the last 300m.
Watching Nuguse over past 4 years - he has a phenomenal insane last ~100m kick like Hocker. However - Hocker is finally recovered enough from injury to be back in top form, which was always better than Nuguse’s top form. Hocker is just back to his best level, and the two of them will both be bronze medal threats in Olympics.
Him winning didn't make him less annoying. He's still wearing the unitard and still got the ponytail/man bun. I'm still not sure he even has the brain power to understand that he won. Someone needs to explain it to him with small words. I'll bet he's afraid of girls too.
I didn't realize I wasn't alone in the anti manbun sentiment so I appreciate that. I don't feel that he is very likeable. He looks a lot stronger than 2021 but we will see. I still don't see that awesome kick everyone says he has. He looked stronger all around to me and then made a great tactical move with 250 to go. He had to make up quite a bit of ground with 400 to go. Once he got past Nuguse he didn't gain much ground and Nuguse looked like he was closing in the last 100. At Paris running a 53 last lap will only keep him in the game but I doubt it will be enough to get by Nuguse, Jakob and Kerr. I'm not buying the idea that Nuguse was the real winner because he pushed the pace either. I want to see him win.