Updated at 10.09 pm
GATESHEAD (England): Jamaican Asafa Powell equalled the men's 100 metres world record with a time of 9.77 seconds at a Grand Prix meeting on Sunday.
Powell set the world best in Athens in June 2005 that was matched by American Olympic and world champion Justin Gatlin in Doha on May 12 this year.
“I came out here to show them I'm back to where I started last year and I'm going to pick up this season from now on,” Powell told BBC Television.
He added, “As I said, I can run as fast as I want when I want. I told them I would do my best here and I didn't let them down.
“My coach is not all that happy because in the end I didn't do what he told me to do but I am going to work on that and come back.”
Powell and co-record holder Gatlin are due to race against each other in London on July 28.
The pair's last clash on the track was in London in July 2005 when Powell pulled up with a groin problem that ended his season.
After easing through his heat on Sunday, Powell got a great start in the final and was never troubled, finishing well clear of compatriot Michael Frater in 10.06.
Britain's Dwain Chambers, making his comeback after a two-year ban for doping, was third in 10.07.
The European champion's ban for a positive test for the designer steroid THG (tetrahydrogestinone) ended last November but he was only cleared to compete on Friday by the International Association of Athletics Federations after repaying prize and appearance money.
Factbox
Born: November 11 1982, St Catherine, Jamaica
2003 - Disqualified for a false start in the quarterfinals of the world championships after setting the fastest time of 10.05 in the heats.
2004 - Finishes fifth in the Olympic final behind champion Justin Gatlin.
2005 - Sets a world record of 9.77 seconds in Athens on June 14, beating American Tim Montgomery's previous best of 9.78.
Pulls up with a groin injury during a race in London in July and is sidelined for the rest of the season.
2006 - Wins the Commonwealth 100 metres title in Melbourne in March and helps Jamaica to gold in the 100 relay.
American Gatlin equals Powell's world record in Doha on May 12.
Powell matches the mark again in Gateshead, England on June 11.
