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In the yearbook archives at Charlemont High School in Jamaica there is an entry from a young Asafa Powell. It reads: Ambition? Famous athlete. Destiny? Break world record.

Asafa has already achieved everything he set out to do when he left high school. But something is missing: a global title. He has realised that there’s more to athletics than being famous and running fast times.

His first moment in the spotlight was not quite how he’d envisaged it: he was disqualified — along with America’s John Drummond — in the infamous men’s 100m final at the 2003 World Championships. Drummond protested by lying down on the track.

But one year later Asafa became famous for the right reason: a string of sub-10-second international victories leading up to the Athens Olympics. This made him a strong favourite to win the Blue Riband event of the Games. But, weighed down by the pressure heaped on his young shoulders, he finished fifth.

He returned to Athens in 2005 and set a world record: 9.77. Subsequently, however, he sustained an injury and had to skip the World Championships. Another global opportunity missed.

Powell won the Commonwealth Games title and twice equalled his own world record in 2006. But at the 2007 World Championships he again crumbled under pressure and had to settle for the 100m bronze behind America’s Tyson Gay and Bahamian Derrick Atkins.

The pattern was becoming familiar: two weeks after this disappointment Asafa set a new world record — 9.74 — in Rieti, Italy.

Yet again the humble, introverted Powell flattered to decieve in 2008. He beat Usain Bolt in Stockholm in 9.88 but at the Beijing Olympic Games had to settle for a disappointing fifth in the final - some 0.26 behind his Jamaican nemesis.

He at least had the consolation of picking up his first Olympic gold - running a stunning anchor leg of 8.70 to lead Jamaica to 4x100m victory.

Post-Beijing he recorded his fastest ever 100m time of 9.72 in Lausanne, and although many question his major championship fragility he remains very much a key part of the great Jamaican sprinting resurgence.

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Latest Comments:

Picnite11/09/2008 13:30:57: Asafa will finally win his gold. Just like we had to wait a while for Merlene Ottey's 1st gold, Asafa will have his day in the sun.Offensive? Unsuitable? Email us
Dee23/09/2008 18:45:10: I hope so Picnite, I hope so!Offensive? Unsuitable? Email us
francessca07/10/2008 12:11:38: I really hope so to,beacause asafa is a wonderful athlete.Offensive? Unsuitable? Email us
ian wilson02/06/2009 13:27:51: your the boss (charlemont to di universe)Offensive? Unsuitable? Email us
Fan03/08/2009 13:35:01: Doesn`t 8.70 mean that Asafa Powell is the worlds fastest man rather than Usain Bolt??? (it can`t matter that it was an anchor leg)He`s better than bolt!!! Offensive? Unsuitable? Email us
LAMBIE20/08/2009 20:56:17: Asafa a mi baby, mi husband and mi man and dat is a fact anyway mi rate him differently still!!!! For me, personally Asafa was the one who replaced Jamaica on the globe for track and field and for that i'll always admire him as a magnificent, superb, wonderful,great, outstanding.............!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Offensive? Unsuitable? Email us
Tashana21/08/2009 17:13:32: it doesn't matter how much asafa place in his race i love him anywayz.Offensive? Unsuitable? Email us
Mohamed Ally22/08/2009 00:27:46: Still the most sub 10 performances by an athlete, still the most humble and in my books [with due respect to Usain] one of the best 100m athletes ever. Asafa brought the excitment back to an event that was tarnished by drug cheats and showed the world how to run clean 9.7's. I agree with the rest...Powell will be around for some time and will get his Gold in the 100m. Asafa Rocks!Offensive? Unsuitable? Email us
athlete618/09/2009 12:13:17: i think powell can still get his gold in the 100 and even beat bolt's record. he is by far my fav sprinter and has inspired me to become a sprinter. one time at school we had to do a speech on the person you admire the most. i of coarse did mine on asafa. if there is any way powell is going to beat bolt again its at the start because bolt is just to tall to get as good a start as powell. go powellOffensive? Unsuitable? Email us
Already Tested25/09/2009 19:19:44: You are a star. I do hope things will improve for you next year. We are always in your corner. Enjoy your off season rest and look forwarding to seeing you next season.Be Bless. ONE LOVEOffensive? Unsuitable? Email us
shihab23/11/2009 14:18:26: i need more information about him Offensive? Unsuitable? Email us
shan -shan26/11/2009 02:40:03: asafa i love u an will alwaysOffensive? Unsuitable? Email us
Lou28/12/2009 10:55:45: not when usain is around!Offensive? Unsuitable? Email us
christine07/02/2010 23:52:21: how u become so athlietic? me want u to beat usain bolt.lolOffensive? Unsuitable? Email us
queenie07/02/2010 23:54:42: hope so too picniteOffensive? Unsuitable? Email us
wan08/02/2010 00:04:12: lol lamble leave him to meOffensive? Unsuitable? Email us
christine14/02/2010 22:20:53: where u born? where u grew up?I really want to knowOffensive? Unsuitable? Email us

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