Mariano García came into the World Championships as the world leader for 2022. No podium athlete returned from the distant 2018 Championships and with Elliot Giles failing to start the heats, only Álvaro de Arriba returned from the previous final.
With 8 men on a 6 lane track running the first turn in lanes, Marco Arop rushed from his shared position to take a clear lead at the break. Andreas Kramer and Noah Kibet fell in line behind as Arop took the field through a 24.04 first lap with Garcia trailing the field. For the second lap, most everybody stayed in the same position, except for Garcia who stepped into lane 2 and cruised past the string of athletes into third place. Arop's split at the halfway point was a searing 50.50. Down the penultimate back stretch, Garcia worked his way past Kramer to assume his position second in line. Splitting 1:17.83 at 3 laps, Arop was not blazing as fast a trail. At the bell, Kibet brought his kick and pounced on Kramer, setting sights on Garcia and Arop. As Kibet approached, Garcia pounced on Arop, both passing with 100m to go. With less than a metre separation, Kibet looked prepared to make his final attack coming off the turn. But when the attack came, Garcia was stronger holding off Kibet, even expanding his lead to the line. Behind them, Bryce Hoppel was out in lane 3 running past Kramer and chasing them to the line. Even faster, in lane 4, de Arriba was chasing Hoppel trying to get bronze. The indoor straightaway proved too short for that much drama.
Results
Heats
Qualification: First 2 in each heat (Q) and the next 0 fastest (q) advance to the Final
