Powell hits sparkling form to claim 100m in Stockholm

ASAFA POWELL pocketed a $10,000 diamond after producing another sparkling 100m run — this time in the DN Galan meet at Stockholm’s Olympic Stadium last night.

Powell, who shares the 100m world record of 9.77 seconds with Justin Gatlin, was first to the tape in 9.86.

The Jamaican’s time set a new stadium record, beating Maurice Greene’s 1999 mark by one-hundredth of a second and earning him the diamond in the process.

“I felt good,” said Powell, whose next outing will be in London on Friday. I was out for the win and I thought the record was very easy to break.”

Powell finished ahead of the American trio of Tyson Gay (9.97), Marcus Brunson (10.09) and Shawn Crawford (10.14).

Powell was due to face Gatlin in the Norwich Union Grand Prix at Crystal Palace later this week, but the American pulled out because of injury.

There was also a stadium record — and a diamond — for Jeremy Wariner who won the 400m in 44.02secs, eclipsing fellow American Alvin Harrison’s time of 44.57 in 2002.

Wariner, the Olympic and world champion, eased up at the finish and still finished 0.51 ahead of runner-up Gary Kikaya.

“I got out good, felt very strong on the back stretch, worked the bend and kicked in with 100 to go,” said Wariner. “My goal today was a sub-44 and the diamond. I’ve been sick since Monday, so I can’t complain.”