Melbourne, Australia - Jamaica's 100m world record-holder, Asafa Powell, competes at the Melbourne Grand Prix yesterday. Powell won in 10.04 seconds. (Photo: AP)

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) - World record-holder, Asafa Powell, made a positive start to his Olympic season yesterday with an easy win in the 100 metres at the Melbourne Grand Prix athletics meet.

Powell, overcoming a cut knee that curtailed his training over the past two weeks, clocked 10.04 seconds at Olympic Park, well outside his world mark of 9.74.

He was two metres ahead of his Jamaican compatriot, Michael Frater, who finished in 10.25. Former Australian record-holder, Matt Shirvington, was third in a time of 10.35.
Powell arrived in Australia last week with four stitches in his left knee resulting from an accident at home in Jamaica and subsequently pulled out of a Sydney meet last weekend.
After undergoing a long warm-up session yesterday, the 25-year-old Powell decided just an hour before the race that he would run.

Powell, who broke the 10-year-old meet record of 10.06 set by former Olympic and world champion Maurice Greene of the United States, said he ran faster than expected.

Melbourne, Australia - World record-holder Asafa Powell waves to the crowd after winning the Men's 100 metres at the Melbourne Athletics Grand Prix at Olympic Park yesterday. Powell clocked 10.04 seconds. (Photo: AP)

"It's very important that I prove that I'm way faster than 2006," said Powell. "In 2006, I was unhealthy. I haven't done anything for two weeks and 10.04 is really impressive."
Powell first set a world mark of 9.77 in June 2005 at Athens and his latest record at Rieti, Italy, last September.

"This year I am way, way, stronger than other years, so I am not worried about anything too much," said Powell. "9.74 is in my reach. I want to get there again and I will get there."

In the 400, Olympic and world champion Jeremy Wariner of the United States was an easy winner, finishing in 44.82 seconds - nearly a second ahead of second-placed Clinton Hill of Australia (45.78).

Sean Wroe of Australia was third in 45.88 and American Darold Williamson fourth in 45.95.

Wariner, who last month split with longtime coach and mentor Clyde Hart, had complained of feeling ill since arriving in Australia and sought medical attention for dehydration after the race.

Australian Craig Mottram won the 5,000-metre race. He sat on the shoulder of African rival Abrehem Cherkos Feleke, then accelerated midway through the final lap to beat Kenyan Shadrack Kosgei and Feleke comfortably.

Mottram had a time of 13 minutes, 11.99 seconds, outside his personal best of 12:55.76.

New Zealander Monique Williams won the women's 200-metre title in 23.75 seconds, ahead of Jamaica's Melaine Walker who finished in 23.80.

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