Defending Champion Mo Farah produced yet another impressive display to successfully defend his 10,000m title, winning the tasking race in a time of 27:01.13. The Great Britain athlete underlined his status over the distance, showing great energy and bidding his time as he unleashed a great finish to claim GOLD in what could be his first victory in a possible double at the 2015 World Championships.
The victory wasn’t that easy as the three Kenyans on the startlist, made him work very hard to earn the win. In fact, it was the three Kenyans who crossed the finish line just after him. They were the early pacesetters, and they sustained the tempo to the end. Geoffrey Kipsang Kamworor made it something like a personal battle with Farah, exchanging leads with him as he came through in 2nd with a time of 27:01.76 to win Silver, while his compatriot Paul Kipngetich Tanui was 3rd in 27:02.83 taking the last podium spot. Bedan Karoki Muchiri, the other Kenyan in action, placed 4th, running a Season’s Best (SB) of 27:04.77.
Such was the dominance of the Kenyans as they would have had a clean sweep, had it not been for Farah who pipped them for Gold. Farah’s training partner, Galen Rupp patiently hung in , but there was no room for error from those in front of him, however he did a SB of 27:08.91 to finish 5th.
When Farah won at the last Worlds in Russia, it was at the back of an impressive Olympics in London where he claimed the Double. This time around with off-the-track issues surrounding the doping allegations on his coach, Alberto Salazar, Farah responded in style and is now well on course to do the double again.
Meanwhile earlier in the day, Botswana’s Nijel Amos came through in heat 1 of the men’s 800m, clocking 1:47.23 to go through to the semifinal. World Record (WR) holder, Kenya’s David Rudisha equally won his heat which he took in 1:48.31, with Ethiopia ‘s Mohamed Aman also taking his as he hopes to challenge Rudisha and Amos for the title.
Women’s 1500m World Record holder, Ethiopia’s Genzebe Dibaba was on to great things again, coming through in heat 3 with a time of 4:02.59 to qualify. In that same heat, Faith Chepngetich Kipyegon was not afar off as she also qualified in 4:02.77. Having run a WR this year, it might not be out of place to expect another from the Ethiopian at this Worlds.
Justin Gatlin made his 100m look easy, as he powered to victory in 9.83s. The fastest time of all seven heats, the American laid down the marker for defending champion Usian Bolt who won heat 7 in 9.96s. It has now left a big question: “can Bolt retain his 100m title with Gatlin running this fast in the heats?”
The biggest shock of the day was recorded in the men’s 400m hurdles where former World Champion Bershawn Jackson and 2013 Champion, Jehue Gordon both crashed out after the first round. Jackson’s complacency before the 10th barrier cost him dearly as finished 7th in 50.14s.
Talk about history, Eritrea’s Ghirmay Ghebreslassie made history as he became the first athlete to win a World Championship GOLD for his country, winning the Marathon in 2:12:28. Ethiopia’s Yemane Tsegay was 2nd with a SB of 2:13:08, also Uganda’s Munyo Solomon Mutai did a SB of 2:13:30 to take Bronze.
Field Events:
In the absence of New Zealand’s Valerie Adams, Germany’s Christina Schwanitz continued with her impressive form this year as she won the women’s Shot Put GOLD with her throw of 20.37m. Home favourite, Lijao Gong only threw lower than 20m once out of her six attempts, but she had to settle for Silver with her 20.30m. Team USA’s vice captain, Michelle Carter completed the podium finish with her 19.76m.
In the women’s Triple Jump, Colombia’s Caterine Ibarguen needed just one attempt of 14.42m to progress to the next round. Same as in the men’s Pole Vault, where Olympic Champion Renaud Lavillenie cleared 5.70m just once and was through to the next round.
If there is something the first day has taught us, there could be more upsets in this championships as was noticed on Saturday. Could it be in the men’s 100m final on Sunday?
