Mighty Mo Farah rules the world again

Farah has plans of becoming the first man to claim seven global titles in a row. Now 32, the Briton is older and wiser.

They got it in the first event of the championships when Eritrean teenager Ghirmay Ghebreselassie became the youngest ever marathon world champion with a stunning run in punishing humidity.

Jamaican Bolt’s record since his triple Olympic sprint triumph in the Bird’s Nest in 2008 has been even more impressive but he was served notice that he will have his work cut out to retain his world 100m title on Sunday.

When asked about the future of Salazar as his coach, Farah added: “I am not sure exactly”.

Bumped by one of his rivals as he took the first bend after the bell, the 32-year-old regained his composure to cross the line in 27 minutes 01.13 seconds.

The comprehensive win will also help Farah bury some headlines he has made for the wrong reasons in recent months after Salazar was accused of violating several anti-doping rules, notably involving Rupp. “I wish my family was here to watch me, but my wife is expecting again and so this win is for my unborn child”.

In the sixth kilometer, only five athletes remained in contention for a medal: Kamworor, Tanui, Karoki, Farah and Rupp.

Kamworor will team up with 2013 bronze medallist Paul Tanui and Japan-based Bedan Karoki.

New Zealander Valerie Adams, who won gold at the last four World Championships, elected to skip the meeting this time so she could undergo shoulder and elbow surgeries with an eye on her Olympic title defence in Rio de Janeiro next year. “Obviously all that stuff kicked off and it wasn’t easy but I had to deal with it – it’s what comes with being a role model”.

“It hasn’t been an easy year but it’s nice to get the team started well” acknowledged Farah.

The Kenyan front-running tactics, however, were no surprise. I don’t know if they were deliberately trying to take me out. “It was just a matter of hanging in there and hopefully iot didn’t take too much out of me”.

The double Olympic champion recovered from a last-lap trip to finish the race in 27 minutes 01.31 seconds.

There he will face Caleb Ndiku from Kenya and Ethiopians such as Hagos Gebrhiwet, who beat Farah earlier this year in Doha over 3000m. “I still have some adjustments, just have to concentrate on my technique now”.

“As I prepare to stand down at the end of these Championships it therefore gives me great personal pleasure to witness China hosting the IAAF’s top event as well as the last Congress of my Presidency”.

And he says the win was the ideal way to answer his critics. CJ Ujah was joint 13th (10.05secs), while Richard Kilty scraped through in 10.12secs.

The fancied Kenyans met disaster, with Mark Korir their best in 22nd place as world record holder Dennis Kimetto and Wilson Kipsang Kirotich did not finish.