Source Daily Mail
05 Aug 2017
Mo Farah claims 10,000m gold at the World Championships in glorious return to the London Stadium
Mo Farah finished ahead of Joshua Kiprui Cheptegei with a time of 26:49.53
The 34-year-old provided a devastating burst of late acceleration to finish first
He claimed his sixth World Championships gold with victory in the 10,000m
Farah was running at the London Stadium where he claimed two golds in 2012
This time Sir Mo Farah even found the energy to demand more decibels from what he clearly felt was a rather subdued London crowd. This time he survived what appeared to be an organised, ruthlessly-executed strategy by the might of East Africa to break the indomitable Briton.
Farah might have been cruising for the opening 10 laps of his last 10000m final when he signalled to his supporters to rival the delirious fanaticism of that Super Saturday five years ago but the finest distance runners from Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda were quick to respond by creating a decidedly more hostile atmosphere out there on the track.
It was not just a sudden injection to something approaching four-minute mile pace in the middle of a race that was already quick. It was the sight of Abadi Hadis barging back past Farah when he attempted to seize control of the race with two laps to go. And the sight of Paul Tanui clipping his heels some 400m later and almost sending the defending champion crashing to the ground.
Mo Farah celebrates with his sixth World Championships gold medal on the podium +13
Mo Farah celebrates with his sixth World Championships gold medal on the podium
Farah reacts with delight after crossing the finish line first to win the 10,000m final +13
Farah reacts with delight after crossing the finish line first to win the 10,000m final
The runner collapsed to the ground on his knees as he celebrates clinching 10,000m gold +13
The runner collapsed to the ground on his knees as he celebrates clinching 10,000m gold
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Farah did well to maintain his balance after stepping on the kerb, his arms flailing wildly as a consequence. Just as he had to demonstrate similar levels of poise and composure when he was caught again moments later in a mesmerising final lap that nearly blew the roof off this wonderful stadium.
Never had Farah had to work harder for a major title, a rapid second 5000m of 13.16 propelling him to the second quickest 10000m of his career.
But he still possessed enough strength to produce the devastating burst of acceleration that has proved so destructive in the closing stages of every major final he has contested these past six seasons, extending a period of dominance that is unrivalled in the history of his events.
Farah is unbeaten over the 10,000m distance since the 2011 World Championships in Daegu +13
Farah is unbeaten over the 10,000m distance since the 2011 World Championships in Daegu
Farah has now secured a 10th straight global title, with an 11th likely next week in the 5000m +13
Farah has now secured a 10th straight global title, with an 11th likely next week in the 5000m
Not since August 28 2011 has Farah been conquered over 25 laps in a championship final, and he was only beaten then because of tactical naivety. That night in Daegu Farah simply went too early, attacking with 500m to go and draining his legs of the strength required to hold off Ibrahim Jeilan in the final 60m.
Farah learned from that mistake, winning the 5000m final that followed a few days later with an approach that has served him so well ever since.
He might still choose to hit the front inside the last two laps. He might raise the tempo of that easy, loping stride when another athlete dares move on to his shoulder. He might even produce those wild-eyed glances back across each shoulder in a seemingly desperate search to see if anyone is catching him. But not until the last curve flows into the straight does Farah now hit the gas for home, reaching speeds no other stick-thin runner can match.
The 34-year-old runner took his time before making a late move in the final lap of the race +13
The 34-year-old runner took his time before making a late move in the final lap of the race
Farah ran in the middle of the pack as he competed in the 10,000m final at the London Stadium +13
Farah ran in the middle of the pack as he competed in the 10,000m final at the London Stadium
Farah has enjoyed period of dominance unrivalled in the history of distance running +13
Farah has enjoyed period of dominance unrivalled in the history of distance running
His margin of victory over Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei, a 20-year-old who shaved more than 20 seconds of his personal best, was almost half a second in the end, with Tanui trailing in third and East African’s occupying the next four places.
The size of Farah’s achievement should not be diminished by the frequency with which we have seen him come out on top in these battles. It is truly astonishing that he has now secured a 10th straight global title with an 11th likely to follow next week; all the more remarkable that it is actually his 13th consecutive major championship gold if we throw in those European titles too. Never mind his third 10000m world crown.
Farah poses alongside Joshua Kiprui Cheptegei (left) and Paul Kipngetich Tanui (right) +13
Farah poses alongside Joshua Kiprui Cheptegei (left) and Paul Kipngetich Tanui (right)
Farah produced his famous ‘Mo-bot’ celebration after he took home 10,000m gold on Friday +13
Farah produced his famous ‘Mo-bot’ celebration after he took home 10,000m gold on Friday
No other distance runner, not Haile Gebrselassie, not Lasse Viren, not Emil Zatopek, not even Kenenisa Bekele, has been able to perform with such consistency at the very highest level.
Age, it seems, cannot wither Mohamed Muktar Jama Farah. Not until he was 28 did he win that first global title but even at 34, and just a few races from hanging up his spikes, he remains a commanding presence who also somehow manages to steer clear of serious injury and illness when it matters most.
The performance director of British Athletics, indeed Farah’s own PR advisers, might now be keen to create some distance between an athlete and a coach who remains at the centre of a doping investigation but there is no denying the impact Alberto Salazar has had on Farah’s career.
Under Salazar’s guidance more precious metal is now in Farah’s possession, with a final track gold a near certainty to follow next Saturday. Only then will Farah be done. Only then will someone else be allowed to win.
Farah reacts to the crowd at the London Stadium before the start of the 10,000m final +13
Farah reacts to the crowd at the London Stadium before the start of the 10,000m final
Supporters at the Olympic Stadium show their support for Farah ahead of the 10,000m final +13
Supporters at the Olympic Stadium show their support for Farah ahead of the 10,000m final
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is 10,000m World…
