Asafa Powell (C) of Jamaica in action. PHOTO: Randy Miyazaki/trackandfieldphoto.com
LONDON (Sporting Alert) — A confident Asafa Powell believes that “a lot of guys will eat my dust” in the 100 metres when track and field action begins later this week.
Powell, who has been labeled as a choker at the major championships in the past, is desperate to win an Olympic individual medal after missing out in 2004 and 2008 when he was a big contender.
The Jamaican former world record holder is now in London preparing for the Games and despite not getting most of the attention, he strongly believes he still has what it takes to be one of the best.
“If I don’t make the podium, I’ll be very disappointed,” Powell said last week.
“I know I have what it takes to go out there and put in on the track and a lot of guys will eat my dust.”
Powell’s fellow Jamaican teammates Usain Bolt, the triple Olympic gold medallist and world record holder and world champion Yohan Blake will start as the men to beat in the 100m, and he’s OK with that.
Blake defeated both Bolt and Powell at the Jamaica championships in June, but many are still backing the towering lanky sprinter to defend his crowns in London.
However, Powell, although admitting that Bolt will be the man to beat again, doesn’t believe it will be as easy as it was in Beijing 2008 when he won by day light.
With Americans Tyson Gay and Justin Gatlin running well also this season, the stage is well set for an exciting dash.
“It’s just going to be very exciting. I don’t know what is going to happen in the finals,” he said.
“All I know is a lot of people are expecting Usain to win way out in front but it’s not as easy as you think.”
Powell should easily make the final, but he's going to have a hard time getting on the podium. He has lost to Bolt, Blake and Gatlin this year, and Gay has beaten him in the past.
BIG TALK!
Asafa's finishing has improved, he no longer eases up at the tape and has shown closing speed and electryfing starts over the last two years. The pressure is deflected by Bolt and Blake, look for the rest of the field to play catch-up if they want that podium spot. The podium will be a Caribbean affair. Sorry USA.
Powell will make it, making a statement such as he did…..not going to diminish his medal potential, but silver fits him right behind Usain, if Blake doesn't show his stuff.
Powell should easily make the finals… what after? The PODIUM! Its A Jamaican Thing>>>>>To the world in a flash and a dash.
I have been a fan of Asafa Powell even before I personally met him. He`s a good man, kind of a balanced personality. Success on Sunday is for him to run his best race, i.e. to forget about us (the fans + the critics), the previous losses and the medals. Just blast to that finish line, run, run…like it`s judgement day, glance neither left or nor right…blast 110m. If medals come with it, so be it.
Ross Mowatt M.D., PH.D., Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Researcher.
Asafa has a valid chance if he runs his race…only if he runs his race..very talented athlete but yet to put his talents on display on the big stage…this has to happen in this olympics. Let's go Asafa.
This guy choked again, I am not sure what is wrong with his head… he starts running and then stopped.