FARAH SCORES A PERFECT 10
London, Aug. 5: British athletics legend Mo Farah won his 10th successive global title on Friday winning the 10,000 metres world crown at the London Stadium where he won Olympic gold in 2012.
The 34-year-old, who will bid to add a third successive world double in the 5000m later in the championships, had a narrow escape from disaster on the final lap when he was clipped twice but somehow kept his balance.
Ugandan youngster Joshua Cheptegei of Uganda took silver and Paul Tanui of Kenya claimed bronze with Farah having once again foiled their respective nations’ tactics.
The Ugandans and the Kenyans deployed their strategy of ‘surging’ with them alternating the lead pace so as not to allow Farah to get any rhythm.
Two-time world crosscountry champion Geoffrey Kamworor took up the pace with over 21 laps to run — Farah was seventh from the back but looking comfortable.
Kamworor exchanged the lead with Cheptegei, the 20-year-old performing the same role as he had in the Rio Olympics.
Farah moved along in around 12th as Kamworor and compatriot Tanui injected more pace up front and the trio of Ethiopians loomed large on the scene.
However, Farah decided with 14 laps remaining to show them he was unaffected by their tactics accelerating down the finishing straight to briefly head the field.
Farah’s hopes of winning his third successive world championship distance double could be in jeopardy after requiring medical treatment following his victory.
He won despite being spiked twice in the final lap, resulting in blood pouring from his left calf.
VAN NIEKERK, THOMPSON CRUISE
South Africa’s Wayde van Niekerk and Elaine Thompson of Jamaica coasted through their heats at the world championships on Saturday.
400m world record holder Van Niekerk was content to allow Costa Rican Nery Brenes to have his moment in the sun in his heat for 350m before he upped a gear to saunter across the line in front.
American Fred Kerley impressed in strolling to victory in his heat, the 22year-old all but pulling up in the final 50 metres — leaving the experienced Belgian 2010 European champion Kevin Borlee trailing although the 29year-old took one of the other automatic qualifying spots in third.
The US team suffered a double blow when pole vaulter Jennifer Suhr and long jumper Jeff Henderson, both Olympic champions, failed to qualify for their respective finals.
It’s been a long journey, it’s been incredible. It was amazing tonight, I had to get my head around it. I got a bit emotional at the start and then I just had to get in the zone.
— MO FARAH after winning