Powell vows to break record

published: Thursday | September 4, 2008

Asafa Powell on his way to victory in the 100m at the Athletissima meet in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Tuesday. - AP

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (CMC):

FORMER 100-METRE world record holder Asafa Powell, inspired by fellow countryman Usain Bolt, has vowed to reclaim his world mark, but knows it is going to take a time faster than 9.60 seconds to do so.

Since the sudden emergence of Bolt, who remarkably broke Powell's world record in May and then lowered his own mark to win the 100m at the Beijing Olympics, Powell has since become the forgotten Jamaican sprinter.

Powell has failed to shine at the major World Championship and Olympic meets, but the Common-wealth Games champion still believes he has what it takes to run very fast, and admits that Bolt's 9.69 world mark in Beijing has inspired him to go below 9.60 seconds.

"Two years ago I said to myself I could go 9.65 or faster, but based on how Usain is running it's my aim now to go below 9.6," Powell told a news conference in Lausanne on Tuesday after a brilliant win in 9.72 seconds.

Astonishing

"Usain can obviously run very fast but I'm not going to put him out of my reach," added Powell, who finished an astonishing fifth in Beijing after being one of the gold medal favourites.

Bolt's majestic run in the Bird's Nest stadium in China's capital stunned everyone, including Powell, who is no stranger to running fast times.

Powell was surprised at the manner at which the feat was accomplished, the 6-foot-5-inch Bolt smashing his own world mark with arms open celebrating victory about 15 metres before the finish.

Fastest man

Powell concedes that his compatriot is definitely the fastest man on the planet at the moment, but remains confident of running back into the limelight.

"I'd say in the Olympic 100m it looked like Usain could have run 9.63, 9.65 maybe," said Powell.

He added "I was shocked to see what he did in the race, it was ridiculous. I can't imagine the times he's capable of running at the moment. He's the man to beat right now but before it was me and if I can break another world record then I'll be the one back in the spotlight."

Powell ran his 43rd sub-10 second timing for the 100m on Tuesday when he equalled the second fastest time ever to win the event in Lausanne in a remarkable 9.72 seconds.