23.02.2009

Asafa set tough task in Sydney

What Coach Francis says goes, and this Saturday night at the Sydney Track Classic, the second fastest man in the world, Asafa Powell will compete in the 400m, setting up a highly-anticipated showdown over the one lap.

The addition of Powell to the start list, gives even more weight to an already impressive 400m line up which includes American Xavier ‘X-Man’ Carter, Commonwealth Games champion John Steffensen, Olympic semi-finalists Joel Milburn and Sean Wroe, and rising star Kurt Mulcahy. Jamaica’s Sanjay Ayre and Japan’s Yoshihiro Horigome complete the talent-laden field.

Powell, along with his talented Jamaican training group, completed a tough session on the track at Melbourne’s Olympic Park this morning, in preparation for Saturday’s race.

Powell, who has a personal best of 47.17 seconds (Kingston 2007) for the 400m, is directed by Steve Francis to complete three 400m races a year. With two down, the third had to be around the corner.

“It will be a great lesson for him, trying to run well under extra pressure. A great challenge for him to do well,” Francis said, just after telling Powell the news.

The 400m is a tough event, and understandably the 100m specialist is a bit apprehensive about what may unfold on Saturday night.

“The 400m is not my favourite or best event, and I don’t really like it that much. It doesn’t give me any ideas of switching events, it just helps me get stronger,” said Powell.

Running a 400m race this early in the season is not an unusual occurrence for world-class sprinters. Fellow Jamaican and 100m and 200m world record holder, Usain Bolt clocked 45.54sec in Kingston on the weekend. When asked is he could beat that time, Powell replied coyly “we’ll see, we’ll see.”

Milburn, the reigning national 400m champion, was excited about the opportunity to compete against the former 100m world record holder.

“I’m really looking forward to it. It’s not often that you get to run against one of the fastest men in the world. It will be interesting to see if he can hold on.”

Athletics fans in Sydney will have the opportunity to witness Powell in action twice on Saturday night. He will also compete in the 4 x100m relay, joining two of his Olympic gold medal winning and world record breaking team mates, Michael Frater and Nesta Carter.

After Sydney, Powell will turn his attention to the World Athletics Tour meeting in Melbourne on Thursday night (March 5) where, much to his relief, he will return to his pet event, the 100m.

Powell’s fastest time on Australian soil is his 10.03 in the final at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. No man has ever broken the ten second barrier in Melbourne and Powell is confident that he will be the man to do it.

“It’s possible. I’m in OK shape right now, it’s very early in the season, but a sub 10 is very, very possible,” continued Powell.

“This is my third time coming here, I’d really love too.”

Powell’s record speaks for itself. The world 100m record holder from June 2005 to May 2008 with times of 9.77 and 9.74 seconds, he is the only man in history to have seven legal runs under 9.80 seconds.

Post Beijing, Powell recorded seven consecutive 100m races under 9.90 seconds in Europe. This stretch included his personal best of 9.72 seconds - the second fastest 100m in history.

Powell has a lot to prove in 2009. After holding the title of the ‘world’s fastest man’ for just under two years, Bolt came along and knocked Powell off his perch last year, stunning the sporting world with amazing world record runs and Olympic gold.

“It’s a lot easier now being in second place, it gives you something to work for. I’m working hard to get myself back on top,” Powell continued.

“I’m working on everything. I’ve been working with a psychologist and others, just so I’m ready to win when the time comes.”

Sydney Track Classic – Saturday 28 February 2009 - Sydney Olympic Park

Melbourne World Athletics Tour - Thursday 5 March 2009 - Melbourne Olympic Park

Photo: Asafa Powell training at Olympic Park this morning