I can do it in 9.6 seconds: Asafa Powell
Asafa Powell is confident of winning what he calls the most eagerly anticipated race in Olympic history. On the eve of the Games, Joe Williams catches up with the Jamaican sprinter...
Asafa Powell is confident of winning what he calls the most eagerly anticipated race in Olympic history. On the eve of the Games, Joe Williams catches up with the Jamaican sprinter...
The Games are about to begin. How has been your preparation?
I am in great shape. I feel fresh. I have raced just enough, not too much and not too little. I am ready to run at my best. I am training hard and running very well at the moment. I am very happy with my preparations.
Usain Bolt ran in 9.72 seconds in New York to break the world record. Can you slash the mark further?
I never try to break records… they just come when they come. If I try to break a record, I run too hard and actually go slower. I am experienced enough now to know that I need to stay relaxed and just run. And it will be fast.
You were out with injury before the Sydney meet. How did you overcome it?
That seems like so long ago now, I actually have forgotten. That was minor, just a cut on my knee when I fell on some stairs. But that is not an issue anymore.
Bolt is 21 and you are four years elder to him. Is age a factor?
I think right now, age is not a factor. We are both young and in peak shape. Maybe in a few years when I get older I will start to slow down, but right now, I just see us both improving.
Everyone is looking forward to the day when you line up for the 100 meters final in Beijing. How do you rate the final?
The most anticipated sprint race in Olympic History, it will be real exciting.
You beat Bolt in Stockholm recently. I look at this as the build up to the most anticipated 100m race of all time. We have 3 guys that all run in the 9.7’s the 3 fastest men in history all lining up in Beijing.
Are you confident of winning the gold?
I will do my best. I am confident I can run in the 9.6’s. If that’s enough for gold on the day then certainly I can win Gold.
Who would you devote the gold medal to?
There are too many people that this would mean so much to, it is hard to pick just one: My two brothers that passed away; my family, my teacher, my coach, and the entire country of Jamaica to name a few.
After Beijing what?
I am sure my coach and manager have many meets planned for me after Beijing. I am sure I will be racing through the end of September.
The Games are about to begin. How has been your preparation?
I am in great shape. I feel fresh. I have raced just enough, not too much and not too little. I am ready to run at my best. I am training hard and running very well at the moment. I am very happy with my preparations.
Usain Bolt ran in 9.72 seconds in New York to break the world record. Can you slash the mark further?
I never try to break records… they just come when they come. If I try to break a record, I run too hard and actually go slower. I am experienced enough now to know that I need to stay relaxed and just run. And it will be fast.
You were out with injury before the Sydney meet. How did you overcome it?
That seems like so long ago now, I actually have forgotten. That was minor, just a cut on my knee when I fell on some stairs. But that is not an issue anymore.
Bolt is 21 and you are four years elder to him. Is age a factor?
I think right now, age is not a factor. We are both young and in peak shape. Maybe in a few years when I get older I will start to slow down, but right now, I just see us both improving.
Everyone is looking forward to the day when you line up for the 100 meters final in Beijing. How do you rate the final?
The most anticipated sprint race in Olympic History, it will be real exciting.
You beat Bolt in Stockholm recently. I look at this as the build up to the most anticipated 100m race of all time. We have 3 guys that all run in the 9.7’s the 3 fastest men in history all lining up in Beijing.
Are you confident of winning the gold?
I will do my best. I am confident I can run in the 9.6’s. If that’s enough for gold on the day then certainly I can win Gold.
Who would you devote the gold medal to?
There are too many people that this would mean so much to, it is hard to pick just one: My two brothers that passed away; my family, my teacher, my coach, and the entire country of Jamaica to name a few.
After Beijing what?
I am sure my coach and manager have many meets planned for me after Beijing. I am sure I will be racing through the end of September.