MELBOURNE - Asafa Powell overcame a knee injury that had made him a doubtful starter to produce an effortless victory over 100 metres at the World Athletics Tour meeting on Thursday.
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| Jamaica's Asafa Powell acknowledges the crowd after winning the men's 100m event at the Melbourne Athletics Grand Prix February 21, 2008. [Agencies] |
Jeremy Wariner of the U.S. reacts after winning the men's 400m event at the Melbourne Athletics Grand Prix February 21, 2008. [Agencies] |
While the Jamaican never looked like challenging his world record of 9.74 seconds, he took control of the race within the first 40 metres and eased to victory in 10.04.
Compatriot Mike Frater was second in 10.25 while Australia's Matt Shirvington finished third in 10.35.
"I'm very surprised because I haven't done anything for two weeks and tonight's the first time in spikes since then. It was way faster than I thought," Powell told reporters.
The 25-year-old, who won the Commonwealth Games gold medal across the road at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 2006, had been doubtful until about an hour before the race at Olympic Park after needing stitches in his knee following a fall at home.
LARGE CROWD
Powell withdrew from a meeting in Sydney at the weekend but delighted the large crowd when he warmed up down the back straight, with a large cheer greeting the news he would run.
"I really wanted to run here for the people," he said. "It wasn't a muscle injury so I wasn't worried about it too much.
"I came to Australia to train and race and my training wouldn't be complete if I didn't run here.
"It proves I'm way faster than 2006. I haven't done anything in two weeks, 10.04 is very impressive."
Olympic and world 400 champion Jeremy Wariner shrugged off a chest infection to win his race in 44.82 seconds.
"I have been sick for the past two weeks. I had an infection in my upper chest and throat and I found it hard to breathe," said the 24-year-old American, who sought medical assistance after his victory.
"It's late February and I have a lot of things to work on (but) I had a great race and I got to see where I was in my training.
"Now I go back and get into the grind and prepare for our season."
