Mo Farah relishes 'sweetest' victory at World Athletics 2013

Mo Farah said his 5,000m victory was his sweetest yet as he completed a dream 'double-double' at the World Championships in Moscow.

The Briton, 30, sealed a thrilling gold six days after winning the 10,000m.

The double Olympic champion became only the second man after Kenenisa Bekele to win both long-distance crowns at the Olympics and the World Championships.

"It was definitely the sweetest, by far," said Farah, who revealed he overcame a stitch during the race.

"I had a stitch from about eight laps to go and I was kind of pushing my stomach in, but then the pace slowed down and I tried to forget about it and come through," he added.

"My legs felt all right, but they were a lot more heavy than the rest of the guys."

Farah broke the European 1500m record last month and was confident he could out-kick his rivals.

"I thought the race would have gone harder, but it suited me," he said.

"I was confident, from having run a fast 1500m and a couple of other fast races, that if it came down to the end I would be able to come home strong.

"You've got to respect the other guys, but you just want to be able to keep winning."

Farah and his American training partner Galen Rupp were the only two athletes attempting the double, leaving their fresher rivals with a distinct advantage.

But Farah produced a stirring finish to cross the line in 13 minutes and 26.98 seconds, just 0.28 seconds ahead of Ethiopia's Hagos Gebrhiwet, with Kenya's Isaiah Kiplangat Koech taking the bronze.

After a typically rapid final lap, timed at 53.51, he dropped to his knees and kissed the blue track before embracing coach Alberto Salazar.

Victory took Farah's tally of global gold medals to five, having also won the 5,000m two years ago in Daegu.

Farah said: "It's amazing, only the great Kenenisa Bekele has achieved so many things. To be able to achieve what he has achieved is just an honour.

"I enjoyed tonight and now I'm looking forward to a bit of time off and spending it with the family. I never thought in my career that I'd be able to achieve something like this, anything is possible I guess.

He received his gold medal from Sebastian Coe, who won his first Olympic title in the same stadium.

The only thing now missing from Farah's resume is a world record. Bekele holds both over 5,000m and 10,000m with times of 12:37.35 and 26:17.53 respectively.

"I would like to run a decent time, but for me the most important thing is trying to win medals," he said.

"It would be nice to get closer to the record and the great athlete Bekele has both records. It would be nice to get closer to that, but I haven't tried too much.

"I've just been concentrating on the World Championships and winning medals for my country. But now it gives me time to think about it and try to prepare for it. That's very hard in a championship, when you have to cover every move."