Powell eases into semis
March 19, 2006

WORLD record holder Asafa Powell's bid to win his first major title
was firmly on course today as he made mincemeat of the opposition to
progress into Monday's semi-finals.

The 23-year-old Jamaican has yet to win an individual medal at a
championships and despite having barely raced in the past year
because of injury he looked the part as he won his second round heat
in some style.

Powell toyed with the opposition as he burst from the blocks and he
slowed to a jog with 40m to go timing a leisurely 10.29secs.

He strolled over the line with Anson Henry of Canada in second while
English hope Mark Lewis-Francis was third and the veteran Nigerian
Deji Aliu was fourth.

Despite the ease of the victory Powell shook his head in what looked
like disappointment or possibly injury and ran straight through to
the changing rooms.

Lewis-Francis, who failed to finish in the 2002 final, said that he
had had to make up for a bad start.

"I missed the start completely but I stepped up really quick and
just did enough to get through," said the 23-year-old, who has
changed coaches in a bid to reignite his career.

"My body is up to speed but my head is not quite there. Monday is a
different day and I am still feeling confident."

There was a bit of a shock with the exit of Trinidad's highly-rated
youngster Darrel Brown as the 21-year-old world silver medallist
from 2003 failed to get going as he finished a disappointing sixth.

Frater easily bested Patrick Johnson of Australia in their heat with
the 23-year-old Jamaican coasting home in 10.25sec, the 33-year-old
mercurial homeboy timing 10.33 in second while the other two
qualifying spots for the semi-finals went to Soji Fasuba of Nigeria
and Trinidadian Jacey Harper.

Harper's more highly-rated team-mate Marc Burns also progressed as
last year's world finalist finished second behind the vastly-
experienced Ghanaian Aziz Zakari in their heat.

Zakari, who has a habit of reaching finals and then not finishing
them, looked impressive in winning in 10.36sec while Burns did what
he had to do - Australia's Nigerian-born sprinter Ambrose Ezenwa
took third while Ainsley Waugh of Jamaica captured the last
qualifying spot.