Edris ends Farah's invincibility in final race
LONDON (Reuters) - Mo Farah's aura of invincibility after six years of unrelenting success was finally cracked in his very last major track race on Saturday as he lost his world 5,000 meters title to Ethiopia's Muktar Edris.
Seeking a fitting end to his matchless long-distance racing career before moving to marathon running, the 34-year-old Briton's bid for a fifth straight global 10,000/5,000m double was scuppered as he had to settle for the silver.
Yet even in defeat, Farah demonstrated his champion's spirit as he fought back in the dying meters when it looked as if he would be shut out of the medals completely.
In a thrilling finale featuring four athletes careering towards the line, Farah snatched back second place behind Edris, who clocked 13 minutes 32.79 seconds after a searing final lap of 52.6 seconds.
"I gave it all but I had nothing left at the end," a crestfallen and emotional Farah said.
"It's been a long journey but it's been incredible. It doesn't quite sink in until you compete here and cross the line - I had a couple of minutes to myself - that this is it.
"To be honest with you it takes so much out of me. It's not an excuse, but it took a lot more out of me than I realized."
It was a glorious win for 23-year-old Ethiopian Edris, the fastest man in the world this year, who had lost all his five previous meetings with Farah.
Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-athletics-world-m-idUSKBN1AS0W0
Seeking a fitting end to his matchless long-distance racing career before moving to marathon running, the 34-year-old Briton's bid for a fifth straight global 10,000/5,000m double was scuppered as he had to settle for the silver.
 |
| Athletics - World Athletics Championships – men’s 5000 meters final – London Stadium, London, Britain – August 12, 2017 – Muktar Edris of Ethiopia and Mo Farah of Britain react after crossing the finish line. Lucy Nicholson |
In a thrilling finale featuring four athletes careering towards the line, Farah snatched back second place behind Edris, who clocked 13 minutes 32.79 seconds after a searing final lap of 52.6 seconds.
"I gave it all but I had nothing left at the end," a crestfallen and emotional Farah said.
"It's been a long journey but it's been incredible. It doesn't quite sink in until you compete here and cross the line - I had a couple of minutes to myself - that this is it.
"To be honest with you it takes so much out of me. It's not an excuse, but it took a lot more out of me than I realized."
It was a glorious win for 23-year-old Ethiopian Edris, the fastest man in the world this year, who had lost all his five previous meetings with Farah.
Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-athletics-world-m-idUSKBN1AS0W0
Post a Comment