Cole Hocker Recaps His 2025 World Championships – From The DQ In The 1500m To The Historic Kick For Gold And Redemption In The 5000m | Tokyo Reflection

“That’s where I feel the most free: crossing the line. Running out on the track is one thing, but crossing the line doing what you set out to do with the stadium going crazy — I just want to live in that moment.” My guest for this episode is Olympic 1500m champion and now 5000m World champion Cole Hocker — fresh off one of the most thrilling redemption stories of these World Championships. Days after being disqualified in the 1500m semifinals, Cole still came back and left Tokyo with a gold medal. He went from 12th at the bell to first at the line, closing in a ridiculous 52.6 final lap and 25.5 last 200 to win in 12:58.30. With that kick, he joins Bernard Lagat and Bob Schul as the only American men ever to win a global title at 5000 meters, and he’s now on the short list of legends who have captured gold in both the 1500 and the 5000 on the world stage. In this episode, we go through his whole World Championship experience. Cole talked a lot about wanting to end this championship on his own terms — and he did exactly that. Today, we dive into how he kept the faith through setbacks, how he found that gear when it mattered most, and what it means to cement his place among the greats. ____________ Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠ ⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠ Guest: Cole Hocker | @colehocker on Instagram Produced by: Jasmine Fehr | ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr on Instagram⁠⁠⁠ ____________ SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS ASICS: The Megablast is the Mega Man of the Blast lineup. Armed with ASICS’ latest foam innovation, FlyteFoam Turbo Squared, it’s 33% bouncier and 10% softer than before. That means every stride feels effortless—whether you’re out for an easy shakeout, stacking long miles, or testing race pace. The lightweight woven upper keeps your foot locked in, the rocker geometry smooths out transitions, and the AsicsGrip outsole gives you confident traction no matter the road ahead. And here’s the kicker—no plate needed. If you’re ready for the shoe that defines ultimate bounce, check out the ASICS Megablast— available now at asics.com and your local run specialty store. WAHOO: The KICKR RUN isn’t just another treadmill; it’s a complete rethink of indoor running. With Dynamic Pacing, it automatically adjusts to your stride—no buttons, no breaking form, just pure running freedom. Its Terrain Simulation makes the deck feel like a track or trail, while lateral tilt mimics real-world conditions so you’re always prepared for race day. So whether you’re chasing your first half-marathon finish, a marathon PR, or your next trail adventure, the KICKR RUN is built to help you Run Your Run. Check it all out at WahooFitness.com and use code CITIUS at checkout. OLIPOP: Straight out of Bikini Bottom, Olipop’s limited edition SpongeBob cans have arrived. Pineapple Paradise features a burst of juicy pineapples and a splash of mandarin. It's on shelves now at Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Circle K, Amazon, and select stores nationwide. ⁠You can check out all of their flavors and get 25% off your orders at DrinkOlipop.com using code CITIUS25 at checkout.⁠