Asafa Powell

Asafa Powell is a Jamaican sprinter whose speciality is in the 100 metres, born on the 23rd of November 1982 in Spanish Town, the youngest of six boys for his parents who are ministers. During his school years he attended Ewarton Primary School and Charlemont High School.

 

He held the 100 m world record between June 2005 and May 2008, with times of 9.77 and 9.74 seconds respectively. Asafa represented his school Charlemont High at the ISSA High School Championships.

 

On the 11th of April he finished fourth in the Class 1 200 m, in 23.07 with a −1.7 m/s headwind. He again represented Charlemont High at the ISSA High School Boys and Girls Championships, finishing seventh in the Class 1 100 m Final. Recognizing some talent, Coach Stephen Francis started coaching Powell one week later.

 

The 2002 commonwealth games saw Powell finishing fifth in the semi-finals 100 meters event. Powell, along with Michael Frater, Dwight Thomas and Christopher Williams formed the Jamaican 4×100 m relay team that went on to win a silver medal.

 

In 2003 he competed at his first World Championships but was disqualified for a false start in the quarter finals. The relay team didn’t fare any better making it to the final but not getting the baton round to Asafa on the final leg. In 2006 he competed again at the Commonwealth Games this time coming home from Melbourne with the Gold Medal.

 

That same year he equalled his own world record and in 2007 improved it even further in Italy where he ran 9.74 seconds. Unfortunately, Jamaican Usain Bolt would beat Powell’s 100 meters record on May 31, 2008. Bolt’s time was 9.72 seconds at the Reebok Grand Prix in New York City, New York.

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Powell has many world records on his resume but he has still not managed to score a solo Gold Medal at none of the most coveted championships, which include the Olympics or the World championships, although he has won a 100 m bronze and relay gold awards at World Championship in 2009.

 

Although his child hood dream was to be a mechanic he has continued to make strides in the field of athletics. Powell says Jamaican athletes tend to gravitate to either track and field or soccer. At first, he chooses soccer also known as football, although he enjoyed racing his friends for fun.

 

He suffered an ankle injury in 2009; Powell also began dealing with hamstring and back problems in 2010. His injuries were a big disadvantage for him as he performed poorly in events ahead he discovered that there were also tears in his abductor muscles.

 

Asafa opened his 2011 season on the 16th of April at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica. He ran the 200 m where he came in third after what looked to be a good first 140 m, slowing down significantly at the last quarter of the race.

 

His time was 20.55 s for the race behind Yohan Blake and Daniel Bailey. Powell ran his next race was the 4×100 m relay USA vs The World at the Penn Relays 2011, on 28 April when he started to experience these injuries.

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