Runs 9.74 to better his 100M record
RIETI, Italy – Asafa Powell set another world record in the 100 meters, and suspects he can go even faster.
The world’s fastest man improved his record Sunday, September 9 winning a heat at the Rieti Grand Prix in 9.74 seconds despite easing at the end.
“This means that I can do even 9.68,” Powell said. “I’m worth that time, I know it.”
The record comes only two weeks after Powell finished third at the track and field world championships in Osaka, Japan.
“I made a couple of mistakes and I corrected them,” said Powell, who lowered the mark by 0.03 seconds, having run 9.77 three times. “That’s what happens when I start to listen to the coach.”
“Today I ran like I should have done at the worlds,” Powell said. “At Osaka I was too tense, I was thinking about the race and the time I had to set. Instead here I was relaxed.”
After winning the final, Powell celebrated amid a crowd of photographers on the field of Raul Guidobaldi stadium, throwing a bouquet of flowers into the stands. He also ran a lap of honor, shaking hands with fans and signing autographs.
“Me and my coach have been working to getting myself back to normal,” Powell said. “I came here today and I executed properly and did what I was supposed to do.”
“That was a race I had to win and I didn’t. Enough. I lost,” Powell said. “The real Powell is the one from today, not the Osaka one.”
Powell should get another chance to race Gay next Sunday. Both are scheduled to compete at the Golden League’s Memorial Van Damme meet in Brussels, Belgium.
