Asafa preparing for season ahead

BY PAUL A REID Observer Writer reidp@jamaicaobserver.com

Sunday, August 29, 2010

MONTEGO BAY, St James — While his season was cut short by an injury, former 100-metre world record-holder Asafa Powell says he is satisfied with 2010 and is looking forward to next season.

Powell, who has season-best times of 9.82 seconds in the 100m and 19.97 seconds in the 200, ended his 2010 season because of an inflammation in his lower back, in the region of his spine, and was advised by doctors to take a six-week break from competition, forcing him to miss several meets on the European and Diamond League circuit.

The 27-year-old Powell says the next season could be one of the toughest as in addition to facing double world record-holder Usain Bolt, the rapid improvements of MVP teammate Nesta Carter and Yohan Blake of Racers will ensure keen competition in the 100.

Powell, who as in Montego Bay on Friday, accompanying his girlfriend Yendi Phillipps, the first runner-up in the Miss Universe pageant on her way back from Las Vegas where the contest was held last week, told the Sunday Observer that "2011 is going to be a difficult year".

He said with the IAAF World Championships in Daegu, South Korea being the major event, along with the improvement of Carter and Blake, everyone will have to work hard to secure his place on the Jamaica team.

Carter, who ran a person best 9.85 seconds while finishing second to American Tyson Gay, who has the two fastest times in the world this year (9.78 and 9.79), and Blake, who has a person al best 9.89 on August 13, "have shown what they can do, so it's going to be an exciting year," Powell said.

He added: "This is the first time we have had so many people running so fast at the same time."

Powell, who has a personal best 9.72 seconds set two years ago and is the second fastest over the 100 this season, says he is not surprised by the times run by either Carter -- an Olympic relay gold medallist -- and Blake.

"No, not at all," he said. "Last year they were running sub-10 seconds so it was just a matter of improving on what they did last year and they should run faster next year."

Running fast times or breaking records will not be his focus next season, Powell said. "I just have to make sure I'm in the mix or at the front of the races," he said.

After a fast start when he won a series of races, Powell said he was hoping for a better end to the season.

"It was a good season, it was alright (though) I didn't not get to finish how I wanted, but I can't complain. I still had a good first half, ran very well and just hope for the best next year."

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Asafa preparing for season ahead