Farah signs off with emotional success
MO FARAH staved off a unexpectedly stern challenge from Albert Rop of Bahrain to post a British indoor 5,000m record of 13:09.16, in his final race indoors.
Farah’s imminent switch from the track to the roads amid the inevitable waning of his powers, coupled with Jessica Ennis-Hill’s retirement, leaves a headline spot to be filled for British athletics.
Farah will almost certainly be favourite to defend his distance double at the World Championships in London this summer after proving his form over 25 laps inside the Barclaycard Arena.
The 33-year-old threw his spikes into the crowd after holding off Kenyan born Rop down the home straight.
‘I got emotional at the end, saying goodbye’ he said. ‘I didn’t expect it to be such a tough race.’
Andy Pozzi reinforced his favourite status for the 60m hurdles title in Belgrade, slicing one hundredth of a second off his world leading time to win in 7.43sec.
The 24-year-old has been a magnet for injury throughout his career but his talent is no secret and a first senior title on the international stage could await.
‘The reason I’ve fought through the injuries is because I always felt there was something more there,’ said Pozzi. ‘Another quick time makes me feel much more comfortable going into the Europeans.’
Another likely to be in the hunt for medals is Lorraine Ugen, who won the long jump with a leap of 6.76m, the third best in the world this year.
There was encouragement to be taken from the performance of British youngsters, too.
Laviai Nielsen set a personal best of 51.90sec to finish second in the 400m, ahead of twin sister Lina and multiple medallist Eilidh Doyle.
Kyle Langford impressed in the 800m, finishing third with a personal best of 1:46.79.