Farah back to winning ways at scene of greatest triumph

The double Olympic champion has endured a difficult few weeks but was a convincing winner of the 3,000m at the IAAF Diamond League at London's Olympic Stadium.

It was familiar Farah tactics, stalking his rivals and then decisively striking for home, a performance that will give him confidence that he's in the shape to defend his two world titles in Beijing next month.

"You can only do what you do best and that, for me, is running," said Farah, who has been dogged by negative headlines about his coach Alberto Salazar all season.

"I wanted that British record but I was tired and sometimes you need to make a decision to hold things back, as there are some big weeks ahead and winning was more important than the time.

"It feels great to be back and winning races and I just need to keep doing that. I had great support and I was so motivated to out there and it's all about going to Beijing now to defend my titles.

"There is still a lot of work that needs to be done but I've got two heavy weeks training now and I'm feeling confident."

However, it was arguably Laura Weightman who produced a star performance under the glare of the Friday night lights in the 1500m.

The 24-year old Morpeth Harrier was the only British women's winner on the opening night of the Sainsbury's Anniversary Games, with a gutsy run securing her first Diamond League title.

This season Weightman, ninth in the Olympic final here three years ago, has been in the shadow of British team-mate Laura Muir, who ran sub four minutes in Monaco and claimed her first Diamond League win in Oslo.

Weightman has only raced six times over her preferred distance this season, and is running into form at the right time.

Under leaden skies, she clocked 4:06.09 seconds to claim victory, hitting the front with 300 metres to go and holding off the challenge of Americans Gabriele Grunewald and Katie Mackey down the finishing straight.

"It's been incredible to see Laura's form this season and I'm slowly getting into the form that I want to show," said Weightman.

"To have two of us pushing to the front of the world is a great thing for British middle distance running. I'm just thrilled with that performance. I've had a tough couple of races, so this was about building confidence and I couldn't be happier.

"The race went off really quick and then it slowed down, it was a good tactical race to get experience of and I think it really played into my hands. It's all good race experience for the Worlds Championships."

Elsewhere, Zharnel Hughes scorched to a 20.05 second personal best to win the 200m while Chijindu Ujah equalled his 9.96 personal best to finish an impressive fourth in the 100m final won by Usain Bolt.

"I didn't expect the PB because last week I had a niggle in my hamstring," admitted Hughes. "I'm going to put in as much work as possible before the World Championships to get ready for the race.

"You never know what can happen in Beijing but I'm going to try and go sub-20 seconds. I think I could have run it here, but there was a minus wind. Next time I will get it."

Meanwhile, Jessica Ennis-Hill - who is yet to decide whether she will compete in the heptathlon at the World Championships - dipped below her 13 second target to clock 12.79 secs in the 100m hurdles, claiming fifth, one place behind British champion Tiffany Porter.

"I have got so much motivation and coming back to this stadium has been unbelievable," she said.

"I shall need to rest up and prepare for tomorrow and then I can assess where I am and if I'm ready for Beijing.

"But I do feel really positive after this, especially with such a top quality field. I was looking for around 13 seconds so to get under that is very pleasing."

© Sportsbeat 2015