For most of Thursday’s race, Jakob Ingebrigtsen appeared to be in full command. However, in the final 29 seconds, Yared Nuguse took over.
In the 1500 meters at the Zurich Diamond League, Nuguse caught up to Ingebrigtsen with 150 meters remaining and surged past him in the final stretch, winning in a time of 3:29.21. Ingebrigtsen followed closely, finishing second in 3:29.52, with Cole Hocker rounding out the top three at 3:30.46.
The race was a near-replay of the Olympic final from August 6, with eight of the 12 competitors from Paris lining up in Zurich, including all three Olympic medalists. However, this time the event featured pacemakers—Zan Rudolf and Eliott Giles—who guided the field through the first 1,100 meters. Ingebrigtsen, Nuguse, Josh Kerr, and Hocker maintained a steady position behind them.
As the final lap began, Ingebrigtsen and Nuguse managed to break away slightly from the field. Kerr led the chasing pack and tried to close the gap on the back straight, but he was unable to catch the leaders. In the closing meters, Nuguse made his decisive move, while Hocker—famous for his strong finish in Paris—couldn’t summon the same power in Zurich.
Nuguse, now in his second year as a professional runner, has been having a stellar season, with his Olympic bronze medal in the 1500 meters standing out as a career highlight. Since the Olympics, he has only competed once, finishing second in a road mile event on September 1 in Düsseldorf, Germany, behind Giles.
Speaking after his win, Nuguse shared his excitement about the race and his plans to participate in the Diamond League final in Brussels on September 13. He noted, “I knew it was going to be fast and competitive, but I had a lot of fun. It felt different from the Olympics, much less stressful. The Olympics were a major milestone, but today was just fun racing with these guys.”
Winning his first outdoor Olympic medal has been a significant boost for the 25-year-old Nuguse. “Getting that medal gave me a lot more self-confidence,” he said. “It hasn’t changed who I am, but it’s changed how I feel about myself. It’s definitely a positive shift.”
Hocker, reflecting on the race, pointed out the challenges that come with Diamond League events compared to championships. “Tactically, it’s always harder with pacers, but that’s what makes these races interesting,” Hocker remarked. “With such a strong field, you appreciate the wins and good performances even more.”
In addition to their recent successes, both Hocker and Nuguse were announced this week as new members of Grand Slam Track’s athlete roster, joining Josh Kerr in the 800/1500-meter event group. The new league, set to launch in 2025, organizes athletes by event categories, and Hocker, Nuguse, and Kerr now occupy three of the four “Racer” positions in their discipline.
