Powell sends out world warning

OSLO – Jamaican world record holder Asafa Powell has sent out a warning to his rivals over the 100m, saying he is targeting world gold after another blistering run over the blue-ribbon event.

At the Bislett Games here on Friday, the first of the six-meet Golden League series, Powell shot out from the blocks despite an initial false start to dominate a strong field from start to finish. In only his second race of the season, Powell’s trademark style was there for all to see, his head remaining tucked down through 40 metres before finally rising as he surged through to the line in 9.94 seconds.Remarkably, it was Powell’s 27th sub-10-second run over the 100m, which he again looks set to dominate on the European circuit.But while thoughts of claiming the one-million-dollar Golden League jackpot, which he shared last season with American 400m runners Jeremy Wariner and Sanya Richards, must cross his mind, Powell insists he is focused on the worlds.”The world championships are the most important thing this year.I want to go the final and win a gold medal there,” he said of the August 25-September 2 event in Osaka, Japan.”I just need to get everything back to normal.This is my building-up phase.Everything’s just coming back to me.”9.94 seconds was a good time for me today.It was just as I wanted.Sub-10 seconds is always good,” said Powell, who was unbeaten in 16 outings last season and twice equalled his own world record of 9.77 seconds.”I ran 9.96 seconds here last year so I’m at the same spot and I was a little bit quicker than in my first race.Things are looking good for me.”This is my second race.I have a long season.”Powell said he was generally happy with his technique.”After a false start it was a good start.The middle of the race wasn’t so good.I wasn’t feeling it 100 percent,” he said.”It could have been better but I’m just coming back from injury.It was better than last year.”Asked whether he was wary of facing American tyro Tyson Gay, Powell said simply: “I’m ready for all my races.”And on the possibility of bettering his own world record mark of 9.77 seconds, Powell added: “I was running at this pace last year and in my third race I ran 9.77 seconds, so we’ll see.”I am the best sprinter at the moment.I never doubt myself, and I believe that I will win.Yes, I am the best.””The most important event for me this year is the World Championships but I also hope to win the Golden League Jackpot.”The start of the series was good for me but I still have five more races.To win the jackpot, it is going to be really tough.”Nampa-AFPIn only his second race of the season, Powell’s trademark style was there for all to see, his head remaining tucked down through 40 metres before finally rising as he surged through to the line in 9.94 seconds.Remarkably, it was Powell’s 27th sub-10-second run over the 100m, which he again looks set to dominate on the European circuit.But while thoughts of claiming the one-million-dollar Golden League jackpot, which he shared last season with American 400m runners Jeremy Wariner and Sanya Richards, must cross his mind, Powell insists he is focused on the worlds.”The world championships are the most important thing this year.I want to go the final and win a gold medal there,” he said of the August 25-September 2 event in Osaka, Japan.”I just need to get everything back to normal.This is my building-up phase.Everything’s just coming back to me.”9.94 seconds was a good time for me today.It was just as I wanted.Sub-10 seconds is always good,” said Powell, who was unbeaten in 16 outings last season and twice equalled his own world record of 9.77 seconds.”I ran 9.96 seconds here last year so I’m at the same spot and I was a little bit quicker than in my first race.Things are looking good for me.”This is my second race.I have a long season.”Powell said he was generally happy with his technique.”After a false start it was a good start.The middle of the race wasn’t so good.I wasn’t feeling it 100 percent,” he said.”It could have been better but I’m just coming back from injury.It was better than last year.”Asked whether he was wary of facing American tyro Tyson Gay, Powell said simply: “I’m ready for all my races.”And on the possibility of bettering his own world record mark of 9.77 seconds, Powell added: “I was running at this pace last year and in my third race I ran 9.77 seconds, so we’ll see.”I am the best sprinter at the moment.I never doubt myself, and I believe that I will win.Yes, I am the best.””The most important event for me this year is the World Championships but I also hope to win the Golden League Jackpot.”The start of the series was good for me but I still have five more races.To win the jackpot, it is going to be really tough.”Nampa-AFP