• Diamond League

Powell powers to 100m win as Farah dominates

Mo Farah was too strong for his rivals in the 5000m © PA Photos

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Idowu's rival Tamgho out of World Championships
  
• News: I've got the edge on Bolt - Powell
  
• News: Bolt cruises to 200m victory in Paris
  
• Profile: Mo Farah | Phillips Idowu | Jenny Meadows | Asafa Powell

Asafa Powell became the first man to break the ten second barrier at the Alexander Stadium as he stormed to victory in the 100m at the Diamond League meeting in Birmingham.

In the absence of compatriot Usain Bolt, Jamaican Powell warmed up with a 9.95 run in the heats, before clocking 9.91 seconds to lead a Jamaican clean sweep on the podium.

Desite a slow start, Powell soon hit his stride, and held off team-mates Nesta Carter and Michael Frater to extend his lead over Bolt in the Diamond League standings. Britain's Marlon Devonish finished sixth in a time of 10.25s.

Mo Farah laid down a marker to his rivals ahead of this summer's World Championships with a dominant victory in the 5000m. The double European champion, who has enjoyed the most successful year of his career, exuded confidence as he stormed to victory in a time of 13:06.86, ahead of American training partner Galen Rupp. Farah looked comfortable as he sat in the leading group before making his move shortly before the bell, and his kick was too strong for Ethiopian rival Imane Merga, who finished third.

London 2012 medal hopeful Phillips Idowu enjoyed a confidence-boosting victory in front of his home fans, leaping 17.54 metres to claim revenge over rival Teddy Tamgho, who beat Idowu in Switzerland last month. The Frenchman could only manage fifth, after three no jumps and a best effort of 16.74m.

World bronze medallist Jenny Meadows produced a superb tactical run to win the women's 800m. Just two days after finishing third behind world champion Caster Semenya in Paris, Meadows allowed British team-mate Marilyn Okoro to set the early pace, and made her move with 200m to go, before holding off a determined challenge from Lucia Klocova to cross the line in a time of 2:02.06.

Dai Greene beat former world champion Bershawn Jackson to win the 400m hurdles. The Welshman held off the challenge of Jackson and Puerto Rican Javier Culson to clock a season's best 48.20 seconds and move to the top of the Diamond League standings.

Lisa Dobriskey, on the comeback from injury, could only manage tenth place in the women's 1500m, in a race won by American Morgan Uceny. European indoor 3000m champion Helen Clitheroe showed impressive speed in the shorter distance, but was narrowly pipped to bronze.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.