Chinese Online Class - Asafa Powell sets 100-meter world record

?  ?

PHOTO / Sports

Asafa Powell sets 100-meter world record

(AP/Reuters)
Updated: 2007-09-10 06:38

Asafa Powell of Jamaica celebrates after setting the new world record in
the 100 meters at the 37 th IAAF Grand Prix meeting in Rieti September 9,
2007. Powell lowered the world 100 meters record on Sunday with a time of
9.74 seconds. [Reuters]

RIETI, Italy - Asafa Powell set another world record in the 100 meters,
and suspects he can go even faster. The world's fastest man improved his
record Sunday, winning a heat at the Rieti Grand Prix in 9.74 seconds
despite easing at the end.

"This means that I can do even 9.68," Powell said. "I'm worth that time,
I know it."

The record comes only two weeks after the Jamaican finished a
disappointing third at the track and field world championships in Osaka,
Japan.

"I made a couple of mistakes and I corrected them," said Powell, who
lowered the mark by 0.03 seconds, having run 9.77 three times. "That's
what happens when I start to listen to the coach."

The heat, the second of two, was run with a strong tail wind, but it was
below the maximum allowed by track and field's governing body, making the
record valid.

In the final, Powell won in 9.78?- with no tail wind. Michael Frater of
Jamaica was second in 10.03, followed by Jaysuma Saidy Ndure of Norway in
10.10.

"Today I ran like I should have done at the worlds," Powell said. "At
Osaka I was too tense, I was thinking about the race and the time I had
to set. Instead here I was relaxed."

In the heat, Ndure was second to Powell in 10.07, and Kim Collins of St.
Kitts and Nevis was third in 10.14.

After winning the final, Powell celebrated amid a crowd of photographers
on the field of Raul Guidobaldi stadium, throwing a bouquet of flowers
into the stands. He also ran a lap of honor, shaking hands with fans and
signing autographs.

"Me and my coach have been working to getting myself back to normal,"
Powell said. "I came here today and I executed properly and did what I
was supposed to do."

Powell is only the fourth non-American to hold the 100 world record since
1912. Donovan Bailey of Canada (1996), Armin Hary of West Germany (1960)
and Percy Williams of Canada (1930) are the others.

Rieti is a fast track on which six middle-distance world records have
been set. That was not lost on Powell, who was trying to bounce back from
his disappointing performance at the worlds.

"It's a very fast track. I love this track. It's very bouncy," said
Powell, who trains in Italy three months of the year. "Italy is a good
place for me. It's my second home."

Powell first set the world record of 9.77 in June 2005 in Athens, Greece.
Justin Gatlin matched the time in May 2006, but the American faces a
suspension of up to eight years following a positive doping test for
testosterone and other steroids at the Kansas Relays a month earlier. In
June 2006, Powell again ran 9.77, and then did it a third time in August
2006.

But despite the fast times, Powell has struggled at major competitions,
missing a medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics. At the worlds, he finished
behind gold medalist Tyson Gay and Derrick Atkins, running 9.96. The
bronze was Powell's first major medal.

"That was a race I had to win and I didn't. Enough. I lost," Powell said.
"The real Powell is the one from today, not the Osaka one."

Powell had also been one of the favorites at the 2003 worlds, but he was
disqualified in the heats for a false start. He missed the 2005 worlds
because of a groin injury.

Michael Johnson, the world record holder at both 200 and 400 meters,
criticized Powell during the worlds last month, saying the Jamaican is
"not a great competitor." Johnson said Powell gave up in Osaka when he
was overtaken by Gay in the final 40 meters.

"He's not a great competitor, you can see it in his eyes," Johnson wrote
in his column for the BBC. "He can learn to be a great competitor, but
first you have to admit that you're not."

Powell should get another chance to race Gay next Sunday. Both are
scheduled to compete at the Golden League's Memorial Van Damme meet in
Brussels, Belgium.

Sally McLellan of Australia won the women's 100 in 11.30, with Stephanie
Durst of the United States second in 11.37 and Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie
of the Bahamas third in 11.38.

Several world champions also won, including Lauryn Williams of the United
States in the women's 200, Janeth Jepkosgei of Kenya in the women's 800,
Yargelis Savigne of Cuba in the women's triple jump and Irving Saladino
of Panama in the men's long jump.

?

?? ?? 1?? 2?? 3?? 4?? ??

?? ?? 1?? 2?? 3?? 4?? ??

Today's Top News ?

* Financial policy changes to back outbound investment
* Forbes urges Fed to cut interest rate
* Promoting co-op on trade, environment
* Abe ready to resign over refueling vote
* APEC outlines trade, security policies

Most Commented/Read Stories in 48 Hours

Learn Chinese, Learn mandarin, Learning Materials, Mandarin audio lessons, Chinese writing lessons, Chinese vocabulary lists, About chinese characters, News in Chinese, Go to China, Travel to China, Study in China, Teach in China, Dictionaries, Learn Chinese Painting, Your name in Chinese, Chinese calligraphy, Chinese songs, Chinese proverbs, Chinese poetry, Chinese tattoo, Beijing 2008 Olympics, Mandarin Phrasebook, Chinese editor, Pinyin editor, China Travel, Travel to Beijing, Travel to Tibet