Powell clocks 100m world-leading 9.84 seconds

Former world record-holder Asafa Powell clocked a world leading 9.84 seconds to win the 100-meter dash at a World Challenge athletics meeting in Kingston.  

Jamaica's Powell finished ahead of American Ryan Bailey, who crossed the line in 9.93, with Jamaican Nesta Carter in third with 9.98.

Powell, who owned the 100-meter world record from 2005 until 2008, when Usain Bolt broke the mark, tested positive for a banned substance in 2013 and is on the comeback trail after a ban that ended last year.

He became the first sprinter to break 10 seconds in the 100 meter in 2015, improving on the previous season's best of 10.01 set by Trinidad and Tobago's Keston Bledman on April 24 in Gainesville, Florida.

It was Powell's fastest 100 meters since a 9.78 at Lausanne in 2011.

His personal best is 9.72, clocked in 2008.

Powell benefited from a favorable wind of 1.8 meters per second as well as an electric atmosphere at Kingston's National Stadium.

Bailey, who anchored the United States' 4x100 meter relay team ahead of Bolt and Jamaica at the IAAF World Relays in the Bahamas last weekend, stirred up the crowd with a mocking take on six-time Olympic champion Bolt's favorite post-race celebratory pose.

The American was showered with boos as he modified Bolt's gesture, adding his own cut-throat motion.
Source: AFP