OLYMPIC and World Championships medallists Asafa Powell and Kerron Stewart were the Jamaican winners at yesterday opening Diamond League meeting in Doha, Qatar, which was severely affected by wind.

Powell, who had sped to 9.75 seconds (wind +2.6 m/s) in the heats, returned an hour later to win the final in 9.81secs (wind +2.3) following an atrocious start.

In fact, Powell — the third fastest man in history behind Usain Bolt and Tyson Gay — had drifted to his left into the lane of fellow Jamaican Lerone Clarke, who had a better start.

Powell, who has a personal best of 9.72 seconds attained in 2008, expressed satisfaction about his impressive season opening times.

“It’s the first I’ve opened so well in my career so I’m happy. The 9.75 should open a few eyes,” Powell said. “Tonight I did well so the next race should be a lot of better,” Powell added, noting that he was looking forward to facing main rivals Bolt and Gay later in the season.

Powell’s training partner at the MVP Track Club Nesta Carter finished second in 9.88secs ahead of American Travis Padgett with 9.92secs. The other Jamaicans in the race — Michael Frater and Clarke — placed fourth (9.94) and fifth (9.98), respectively.

Earlier, World and Olympic 100m silver medallist, Stewart, who was pushed by a massive wind of (+3.0 m/s) won the women’s 200m in 22.34 seconds. Her fast-finishing compatriot Sherone Simpson — who tied for the 100m silver at the Beijing Olympic –placed second in 22.64 ahead of Cydonie Mothersill of the Cayman Islands with 22.66secs.

Two other Jamaicans, Sheri-Ann Brooks and Anneisha McLaughlin, placed fourth and fifth with 22.73 and 22.93, respectively.

Novlene Williams-Mills faded badly in the last 20 metres to place third in the women’s 400m with 50.50secs. American Allyson Felix won the event in a world-leading 50.15secs ahead of Amantle Montsho of Botswana 50.34secs. Olympic and World 400m silver medallist Shericka Williams had to settle for sixth in 51.11secs.

Three-time World Championship medallist Delloreen Ennis-London and Isa Phillips also had to settle for minor places in the 100m and 400m hurdle events.

Ennis-London returned 12.75secs (wind +2.7 m/s) for sixth position in the sprint hurdle won by two-time World Indoor gold medallist Lolo Jones of the USA in 12.63secs.

Phillips returned 50.25secs to place sixth in the 400m hurdles won by 2007 World champion Bershawn Jackson in 48.66. Another American, Kerron Clement, finished second in 48.82, while South African LJ Van Zyl was third with 49.59.

The Doha meet is the first of 14 around the world in the Diamond League, which is the successor to the Golden League.

— Kayon Raynor