Sport

Powell says he's ready

By ANTHONY FOSTER, Freelance Writer

Asafa Powell - file

WORLD NUMBER ONE ranked 100m sprinter, Asafa Powell, has dismissed last week's loss against Olympic champion Justin Gatlin, saying he wasn't fully fit and intends to break the world record today at the International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) Golden Spike Meet in the Czech Republic.

Powell, who has run 9.84 seconds twice this season and is ranked as one of the best ever 100m sprinters, said last week's loss to Gatlin at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon was due to a niggling injury.

"I had some problems with my groin injury after racing in Santa Domingo over three weeks ago. I didn't feel well in Eugene, but nowadays it is okay."

Powell is down to face, Darren Campbell, a member of the British Olympic sprint relay gold medal team, and American Bernard Williams, who won the 200m silver in Athens.

Powell's MVP Jamaican teammate, Michael Frater, who won silver at last year's NCAA Championships is also in the field.

Asked about the possibility of breaking American Tim Mont-gomery's world record at today's meet, Powell indicated that he is eyeing the 9.78 mark.

"My coach told me not to break it in the first race (on May 7 in Kingston, Jamaica). I wasn't fit enough in Eugene, so I am free to break it," he said.

The meet organisers have put up cash incentive of US$40,000 for a world record in the event.

"I will race and do my best. If I run fast enough and I earn some money, that's great," Powell said, when asked about the money on offer.

The Jamaican sprint sensation has been consistently running sub-10 seconds, and achieved a record nine last season.

No sub-10 seconds clocking has ever been recorded in Czech Republic, but Powell hinted that that is about to change.