Powell smashes 100m world record

The powerfully built Jamaican dominated the proceedings from the start and won two metres clear of the field in 9.77 seconds, eclipsing American Tim Montgomery’s previous mark of 9.78 set in Paris in 2002.

Powell finished ahead of Nigerian Aziz Zakari (9.99) and Jamaican Michael Frater who logged a personal best 10.03 seconds for third.

"I knew that I could do it, I did my best . it feels great to be the fastest man of the world," Powell told reporters after his feat.

In 2004, Powell equalled the record for the most sub-ten clockings (nine) in the 100 metres but said he would not be able to say just yet how much faster he would go this season.

"If you ask what I can do more this year, you will just have to wait until the end of this year’s season to see," Powell said.

The 23-year-old effort at the stadium where he suffered his only loss in the 100 metres last year in the Olympic final, is the second world record effort on the track in the last ten years, after American former Olympic champion Maurice Greene (9.79), eclipsed Canadian Donavan Bailey’s (9.83) mark in 1999. "It is amazing that after Maurice Greene that I also have achieved a World record in this stadium and this marvellous meet organisation," Powell noted.

Moments after Powell set ablaze the Olympic stadium, Howard Aris, President of the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association (JAAA) told CMC Sports that the record run did not surprise him.

"I have watched him train in the evenings sometimes . he is a very humble but confident young man, he is focused," Aris said.

"He has his mind set on achievements."

Aris, who took over the top post last year, also believes that Powell has what it takes to go much faster in the near future, even eclipsing his own record. "At his age, if he continues to mature in the way that I hope he will and gain the confidence he has now gained, I don’t think there are any barriers that would be too great for him to break," Aris continued. Powell, the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) top ranked overall athlete, led a Jamaican sweep of the 100 metres events at the meet, the only Caribbean victories at the meet.

In the women’s race, Olympic sprint relay champion Sherone Simpson captured the title in 11.15 seconds ahead of Ukrainian former World champion Zhanna Block (11.19).