Powell clocks 9.72s in Lausanne 100m
Wednesday, 03 Sep 2008 18:19
Asafa Powell ran the 100m in Lausanne in 9.72 seconds
Jamaica's Asafa Powell ran the second fastest 100m time in history at the Athletissima Grand Prix in Lausanne, Switzerland, clocking 9.72 seconds.
The time is a new personal best for Powell, who with it equalled the old world record time set by double Olympic champion Usain Bolt in Beijing last month.
Bolt, who won the 200m event in Lausanne in a quick time of 19.63 seconds, smashed his own short-distance sprint mark at the Olympic Games by 0.03 seconds, despite beginning his celebrations before the finish and cruising across the line.
And after equalling his team-mate's previous best time over 100m, Powell, 25, admitted he has now set his sights on recapturing the 'fastest man on earth' he used to hold until his 22-year-old compatriot burst onto the scene two years ago.
"Two years ago I said to myself I could go 9.65 or faster but based on how Usain is running it's my aim now to go below 9.6," Powell claimed.
"Usain can obviously run very fast but I'm not going to put him out of my reach."
He continued: "I'd say in the Olympic 100m it looked like Usain could have run 9.63, 9.65 maybe," said Powell.
"I was shocked to see what he did in the race, it was ridiculous.
"I can't imagine the times he's capable of running at the moment. He's the man to beat right now.
"But before it was me and if I can break another world record then I'll be the one back in the spotlight."
Powell has been criticised in the past for his tendency to freeze on the big stage.
And he appeared to underline his critics' long-held opinion when he failed to make an impact on the medals in the 100m in Beijing, despite being among the favourites before the race, as he eventually finished a disappointing fifth.