Watch: American Cole Hocker sets Olympic record in upset at men's 1500-meter final

Hocker's teammate, Yared Nuguse, earned the bronze medal. Per The Sporting News, this is the first time two American men have medaled in the 1500 in 112 years. What makes this upset even more impressive is Hocker faced elite competition. The IndyStar's David Woods reported that seven of the 12 finalists in the event had won a collective 15 global medals, five of which belonged to the defending Olympic champion Ingebrigtsen. Kerr, meanwhile, is the reigning world champion. 

Many billed the Olympic final as a duel between Kerr and Ingebrigtsen. Before the race, the 23-year-old Hocker had never beaten either runner. This didn't faze him, though.

"We've seen everything happen in the Olympics, and I'm not writing myself out of that gold medal quite yet," the Indiana native told Woods. "You have to beat 11 guys in the final. Anyone who wants to win the gold here has to do the same thing."   

The confidence has paid off, as Hocker's upset will likely go down as one of the biggest at the Paris Games.