Asafa Powell targeting 'complete race' at National Champs

Raymond Graham, Gleaner Writer

ONE athlete who is looking forward to this weekend's National Championships is former world 100 metres record holder, Asafa Powell.

The man with the most sub-10 seconds clockings in the 100 metres has been in his best form ever, based on his electryfying runs all season, and is very pleased with how things are going so far.

"This season, I am more healthy than before and this has been my best start to a season ever," said Powell, who has recorded the two fastest times in the event this season.

In late May in Ostrava, Powell clocked 9.83 seconds to win, and then at the Rome meet in early June, he produced the world-leading time of 9.82 seconds for another win. He was unfortunate at the Oslo meet in early June, as his winning time of 9.72 seconds was done with a wind reading just over the allowable limit, - 2.1 metres, per second.

When he last competed, in Rome, he got a terrible start but was still able to control the race from midway to win.

"That was one of my worst starts ever, as I was very tired, and at the time, I also had a slight knee injury and I was not able to do my normal routine before the race where I would test-start out of the block at least twice," he pointed out. "I am now stronger because I have been spending a lot of time in the gym working on the weaker parts of my body."

Powell, who will next race in Stockholm and Gateshead, stated that it was unlikely he would defend his 100 metres title at this year's Commonwealth Games.

"I do not think I will compete at the Commonwealth Games, as the Games are being held at a time when the season would have been over and preparation for the 2011 season would have started," concluded Powell.

This weekend, he is hoping to run impressively at the National Championships.

"I am hoping to run a complete race this weekend, as I now have a changed attitude and will not be joking around, as I want to treat the fans to something special," said Powell.

Disappointed

He is also disappointed that defending champion, Usain Bolt, will be missing.

"I was looking forward to face Usain on local soil, as I know the fans wanted to see both of us, but he has his reasons."

Powell added: "Not because Usain is absent; this will not take away the competitiveness from the race as Michael Frater has always done well at this meet and he, along with Nesta Carter, should push me to be at my best."

Nonetheless, Powell stated that he was looking forward to meeting both Tyson Gay and Bolt later in the season.

"Track and field fans across the world want to see the three of us compete against each other and this is good, because this will guarantee fast times. Although I want to run fast times, my focus, however, is to go out there and win, and once you go out there and do your best, the times will come."

He also spoke about his new contract with Li-ning, the Chinese business firm.

"It is kind of sad to leave Nike, but this is a business and you have to look on it from that aspect," said Powell, noting that it (Li-ning contract) was very lucrative as they would be taking care of everything.

Powell also dispelled rumours that his parting with Nike meant he would no longer be coached by Stephen Francis, who is a Nike coach.

"There is no truth in this as Nike has a great level of respect for my coach and they will not interfere, as he will continue to be my coach," he asserted.