May, 15, 2015 (Sporting Alert) — Asafa Powell has decided to skip this weekend’s track and field meet in the Cayman Islands to focus more on his preparations for the Jamaica Championships, his agent said on Friday.
Powell, the former world record holder over 100 meters, was due to race at the 4th edition of the meet on Saturday, but his agent Paul Doyle says the sprinter will not compete at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex.
He instead, will be using the next two weeks to do some training ahead of three meets in Europe, which will be followed by the Jamaica Trials.
“Asafa will use the following two weeks as a training block to prepare for 3 meets in Europe that will set him up most favorably for his trials,” Doyle said in a released statement.
“The big goal for Asafa in 2015 is getting back to the podium in Beijing.
“We wish nothing but the best for the Cayman Invitational.”
The organizers also confirmed Powell’s withdrawal from the meet in the Grand Cayman.
“We know that most of our supporters were looking forward to seeing the current world number one but we still anticipate your support as the withdrawal of Asafa Powell is due to reasons beyond our control,” the organizers said.
Powell was down to face home favourite Kemar Hyman of the Cayman Islands and Jamaican compatriots Kemar Bailey-Cole, Jason Livermore and Andrew Fisher over the 100m.
The 32-year-old opened his season on a winning note at the Jamaican International Invitational in Kingston, last weekend after posting what then was a world-leading 9.84 seconds time.
American Justin Gatlin, however, has since lowered that 2015 best mark to an impressive 9.74secs, achieved in the Doha Diamond League opener on Friday.
After pulling of the Cayman meet, Powell’s next scheduled race will now be at the IAAF World Challenge – Ostrava Golden Spike – on May 26.
“I’m excited to return to Ostrava as my next race. I have been training very hard lately and it is starting to show in my performance,” he said on the meeting website.
“I’m looking forward to my return to Ostrava which has been a special place for me in the past.”
Powell’s countryman and world record holder Usain Bolt is also slated to race in Ostrava, but his date is over the 200m.
