by Deji Ogeyingbo
Grant Fisher’s Blockbuster Performance: The Race That Changed Everything
In every great sports movie, there’s a moment when the underdog realizes he’s no longer just competing, he’s in control. The script flips, the music swells, and suddenly, he’s the one setting the pace, dictating the action, finishing the job. That’s exactly what Grant Fisher did at Millrose.
For years, Fisher was the kind of runner who had to control the race from the front. He set the pace, broke the field, and tried to hold on. If someone with a big kick was lurking behind him, the race was often over before the final sprint. But that version of Fisher seems to be gone.
At Millrose, Fisher did something remarkable. He didn’t just win the 3000m. He took down the world record in 7:22.91, passing Cole Hocker with a blistering final push. Hocker, known for having one of the best kicks in the sport, finished in 7:23.14, also inside the previous world record. Yet Fisher had more in the tank. He didn’t just hang on. He attacked. And he won.
This is a shift. Over the past year, Fisher has outkicked some of the biggest names in distance running down the likes of Hagos Gebrhiwet, Yomif Kejelcha, Jacob Kiplimo, Selemon Barega. The man who used to get left behind in the final lap is now the one making the decisive move. It’s a transformation that could mean big things for the rest of his season, particularly at 10,000 meters.
A year ago, few would have picked Fisher as a favorite for the 10,000m. He was one of the best, but there were always a handful of guys expected to finish ahead of him. Now, that’s changing. Berihu Aregawi still holds a slightly faster personal best outdoors, but Fisher’s recent form suggests that gap is shrinking. More importantly, Fisher’s racing instincts have sharpened. He was brilliant tactically in Paris last year. He’s learning how to manage races, when to go, when to wait, and how to trust his speed when it matters most.
Speed was never his weapon. Now it is. And that changes everything.
Fisher isn’t peaking too early. He knows this is a long season. The Olympic Trials loom large, and the Tokyo 2025 World Championships in September is the ultimate goal. His performance at Millrose was stunning, but it’s February. The real tests will come in the summer, when the stakes are highest.
For now, his focus will be on refining his strategy. He’s proven he can win fast races and tactical races alike. But to secure World Outdoor Gold, he’ll have to do both on the biggest stage. That means managing his training, staying healthy, and fine-tuning his approach to different types of competition.
He also has decisions to make. Will he double in the 5000m and 10,000m? Can he handle the rounds, the pressure, and the deep fields in both events? His speed suggests he could be competitive in the shorter distance, but the 10,000m still seems to be his best shot at a medal.
Cole Hocker isn’t a 10,000m guy, but his battle with Fisher at Millrose was one of the highlights of the meet. Hocker led with three laps to go and held off Fisher’s first attempt to pass him. But when Fisher made his final move, there was nothing Hocker could do.
Hocker is still one of the best closers in the sport. But Fisher just beat him at his own game.
That win matters. Confidence matters. Fisher knows now that he can win races in different ways. He can grind out a tough, fast race from the front. He can sit and kick when needed. That versatility is what separates the good from the great.
