Imperious sprinter Powell sends out world warning by Luke Phillips
Sat Jun 16, 12:59 AM ET



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 riband 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
9.94sec.

Remarkably, it was Powell's 27th sub-10sec 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.

"9.94sec 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
9.77sec.

"I ran 9.96sec 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
9.77sec, Powell added: "I was running at this pace last year and in
my third race I ran 9.77sec, 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."