Posted at 9:46 a.m., Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Sprinter Powell, back from injury, sets year's best 100
Advertiser Staff
BELGRADE, Serbia — World record holder Asafa Powell won the 100 meters today with the fastest sprint in the world this year.Powell led from start to finish to clock 9.97 seconds in his season-opening return from a bout with knee tendinitis at the Artur Takac Memorial meet.
Churandy Martina, of the Netherlands Antilles, was second in 10.11, and Michael Frater of Jamaica came in third in 10.19.
"It's such a relief to know that the injury is over," Powell said after topping the 9.98 set by Derrick Adkins of the Bahamas last month. "I was very tense, but I'm much more relaxed now."
Powell said he will next run a 200-meters at the Prefontaine Classic meet on June 10 in Eugene, Ore. His main goal is the world track and field championships in August in Osaka, Japan.
"The most important (thing) is that I stay injury free," Powell said.
The 24-year-old Jamaican twice equaled his world mark of 9.77 seconds last year, but had early setbacks this season and missed some competitions. He set the world record in June 2005 in Athens, Greece.
Iveta Lalova of Bulgaria won the women's 100 in 11.26 seconds, followed by Mikele Barber of the United States in 11.27 and Sherika Williams of Jamaica in 11.34.
Sherone Simpson of Jamaica, the fastest woman in the world last season, did not start because of muscle pains during warmup.
Moses Masai of Kenya won the 5,000 meters in 13:08.80 — the fastest time of the season. Hosea Macharynyang of Kenya (13:09.83) was second and Mark Kiptoo was third (13:12.60).
American Justin Gatlin has matched Powell's world record time, but faces a suspension of up to eight years following a positive doping test for testosterone and other steroids at the Kansas Relays last April. His appeal is still pending.
