By Anthony Foster, TrackAlerts.Com Writer
The Asafa Powell we knew of yesteryear is gone. He now has a renewed mindset.
That’s what he expressed with TrackAlerts.Com after powering to 9.98 seconds – the fastest of the rounds – to win his quarter-final race at the opening day of the Jamaica Senior Championships on Thursday evening at the National Stadium.
“This is a new me,” Powell declared after beating former world champion and history’s second fastest man, Yohan Blake, who finished second in 10.24 seconds. It was Blake’s second 100m race of the season after returning from injury.
? Kemarley Brown took the next automatic qualifying spot in 10.24.
“I’m just enjoying it, it’s no big deal,” Powell added.
The former 100m record holder said he is now approaching his races differently.
“Over the years I have been making it a real big deal and putting too much pressure on myself, so now I am going to relax and do what I am supposed to do,” he said.
Commenting on his race, Powell said he followed his coach’s instructions to stay relaxed and smooth.
“It was a very good race… I just wanted to win it as easy as possible. My coach told me to just run the first 40m and just control the race and take it home easy, so that’s what I did,” said Powell, the man with the most sub 10-second 100m times in history?.
Despite his easy but dominant performance, Powell is prepared for stiff competition on Friday.
“Tomorrow is going to be a bit more competitive, so I’m just taking it one step at a time,” he concluded.
