DOHA, Qatar, CMC – Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell blamed jet lag for his loss to resurgent American star Justin Gatlin after he conceded an early-race lead to finish second in the 100 metres at the season-opening Diamond League meet here yesterday.
The 29-year-old, who has never won a major title, had a fantastic start and seemed to have the race won after 75 metres at the Qatar Sports Club.
However, Gatlin produced a late burst to nip Powell on the line and take victory in a time of 9.87 seconds.
“The jet lag is in my legs. I tried to go, but my legs just wouldn’t go there,” said, Powell, who was timed at 9.88 seconds
“I’m still happy with the time. It was an ok race, considering that I’ve only been here two days, travelling from Jamaica.”
The race was Powell’s first of what is expected to be a crucial season, with the London Olympics running off in July. For all his success, he is still without an individual Olympic medal.
On Friday, fellow Jamaican Lerone Clarke clocked a personal best 9.99 seconds to be third while another Jamaican Nesta Carter trailed in fifth in 10.05.
Meanwhile, Olympic and former World champion Melaine Walker stormed to a world-leading time in the women’s 400 metres hurdles.
The 29-year-old, who could only manage silver at the Daegu World Championship last year, clocked 54.62 seconds to finish ahead of fellow Jamaican Kaliese Spencer in 54.99.
Another Jamaican former World champion, Brigitte Foster-Hylton, was also in winners’ row as she won the 100 metres hurdles in 12.60 seconds.
The win was her second straight following her triumph at the JN Invitational in Kingston last week.
There was no such luck for Olympic and World 200 metres champion Veronica Campbell-Brown who was nipped by American Allyson Felix in the 100 metres.
Felix got home in 10.92 seconds with Campbell-Brown behind her in 10.94.
Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce finished third in 11 seconds flat.
