Powell powers to victory in Rome

Asafa Powell indicated he will be the man to beat at next month’s World Championships after storming to victory over 100 metres at the IAAF Golden League meeting in Rome.

After a three-week lay-off struggling with a groin problem, the world record holder flew to his fastest time of the season last night by clocking 9.90 seconds.

Given the 24-year-old Jamaican applied the brakes in the final 10 metres, there is no doubt he would have bettered Tyson Gay’s world leader of 9.84sec.

Powell made no secret of the fact he feels the US champion will be his biggest rival in Osaka net month.

“The clash between me and Tyson Gay will be one of the showdowns of the year,” he said after blowing away the challenges of Derrick Atkins and Churandy Martina who finished in 10.02sec and 10.10sec, respectively.

Powell added: “It was my first race after the injury and I am happy with the time and the way I ran the race.

“I eased up at the finish as I did not want to put pressure on after the injury.”

The meeting was overshadowed by a horrific accident which saw long jumper Salim Sdiri hit by a javelin thrown by Tero Pitkamaki.

The 28-year-old Frenchman was struck in the side and received emergency treatment in the stadium before being taken to hospital.

His injuries were said not to be life threatening and meeting organisers confirmed he had returned to his hotel room later in the evening.

A distressed Pitkamaki said: “My only wish is that the long jumper is okay and I hope that it was just a scratch.

“I rotated a bit too much to the left and it just went into the jumping area.”