Yared Nuguse on what he learnt after setting a new indoor mile event world record at the Milrose games in New York.
American middle-distance star Yared Nuguse has opened up about the most valuable lesson he learned after his record-breaking performance at the Millrose Games on Saturday.
The 25-year-old clinched his third consecutive Wanamaker Mile title in emphatic fashion, smashing the previous indoor mile world record of 3:47.01—set by Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha six years ago—by clocking an astonishing 3:46.63.
With this feat, Nuguse became the first American to hold either an indoor or outdoor mile world record on the track since Mary Slaney in the 1980s. The last American man to achieve this was Dick Buerkle, who briefly held the indoor mile record in 1978 and 1979.
The Millrose games saw records fall as Grant Fisher and Yared Nuguse dominated the headlines with the likes of Olympic champion Masai Russell also shining.
Reflecting on his groundbreaking performance, Nuguse emphasized the importance of self-confidence.
“The biggest takeaway is, do not be afraid to do it,” Nuguse told the media after the race.
“I do not need [to chase down] a ton of the best guys—and they are all good guys, not to doubt any of them—but I do not need to be chasing someone down to get the record.”
Nuguse’s ability to push himself in the latter stages of the race proved pivotal.
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Josh Kerr has reignited his rivalry with Jakob Ingebrigtsen, critiquing his absence from Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam League.
“I proved that in the last 600 meters, where it was just me versus the clock. I think it was very important I was able to do that and say that I am confident and I am strong.”
Nuguse was not the only American rewriting the record books over the weekend.
Grant Fisher shattered the world indoor 3,000-meter record, finishing in 7:22.91. In doing so, Fisher also broke Nuguse’s previous American indoor 3,000-meter record of 7:28.23.
To claim the record, Fisher had to overcome fellow American Cole Hocker, the 1,500-meter gold medalist at the Paris Olympics.
Nuguse, who is of Ethiopian descent, is thrilled to see American middle- and long-distance runners making a global impact.
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Cole Hocker has opened up on the pressure of staying at the top of his game after winning the Olympic gold in Paris amidst fierce competition from the likes of Yared Nuguse, Josh Kerr and Jakob Ingebrigsten
“It is really good that the Americans are doing well. Not just Grant and Cole—these are the guys I know I am as good as, so it gives me confidence. 3K is not an event outdoors, but if it were, I could go out and do that. It is awesome seeing everyone come out here and doing well.”
Nuguse’s coach, Dathan Ritzenhein, lauded his athlete’s perseverance, noting that he had come agonizingly close to multiple records before finally breaking through.
“He’s been this close on the outdoor record, this close on the indoor record multiple times, this close on the road record in the mile—all within a second,” Ritzenhein said. “And now he finally got his record, so it’s pretty cool.”
With his latest milestone, Nuguse has firmly cemented his place in history. And if his confidence and relentless drive are any indication, there may be even more records to fall in the near future.
