ZURICH, Switzerland, CMC – Jamaican Asafa Powell is promising to stun the world with a victory over Usain Bolt when next the two go head-to-head.
Powell, who has been reduced to a footnote following Bolt’s stunning exploits within the last year, finished second to his 23-year-old counterpart at the Golden League here Friday but said the performance convinced him he could deliver Bolt a knockout blow.
“I just need to work more on the last part of the race. Now I know that I can also beat Usain when everything works out fine for me,” said Powell, once the world’s fastest man.
“I have 9.6 in my legs and at my next meet I’m going to put it on the track. Everyone has to go out with that in mind, that they can beat Usain.
“He’s way ahead of the crowd right now but we’re really playing catch-up. We’ll get there somehow. Usain is taking the sport to a whole different level and we are going up there to join him.”
Powell seemed poised to deliver the upset of the season when he got a rapid start in the 100 metres on Friday to lead Bolt at the half-way point of the race.
But the gifted Bolt, who set new world records in winning the sprint double at the recent World Championships in Berlin, produced a stunning comeback to overtake Powell in the dying stages and clinch victory in 9.81 seconds.
Bolt admitted to fatigue afterward, following his World Championships exploits were he posted new world records in winning the sprint double.
“My body was sitting at the start. I was a little bit tired through the race,” said the double Olympic champion.
“All things considered, the time is not bad. I needed to pick up my speed as my body did not respond well to the race.”
The Golden League season finishes next Friday in Brussels and both athletes are expected to compete at the event.
