Jamaican speed star set to take Athens sprint by storm as from tomorrow…Powell’s
Powerpunching
By OLUWOLE OMOOGUN, London
Thursday, August 19, 2004

Graced with the genes of a sprinting family and overflowing with the confidence of a winner, Asafa Powell yields to no one on the track. Powell is the new kid in the block who is stealing all the limelight from his role model, reigning world and Olympic champion, Maurice Greene.

A young, late-blooming Jamaican sprinter, Powell, served notice that he would be a strong medal contender in Athens in the 100m when he ran a 9.91 secs at the Jamaican Championships in late June. It was the same time that Greene ran at the U.S. Olympic Trials, but Powell didn't have strong competitors pushing him.

In late July, he beat Greene in London, again posting a 9.91. And in early August at a meet in Zurich, Powell bested Greene yet again, posting a 9.93 to Greene's 9.94.

In 2003, when American Jon Drummond staged his memorable on-the-track protest at the World Championships after being disqualified for a false start in the quarterfinals, Powell was the other sprinter disqualified in that heat. While Drummond refused to leave the track for 15 minutes, Powell was convinced by officials to leave after it became clear they would not be allowed to run the race under protest. He had clocked the fastest first round time at the event with a 10.05.

Coached by Jamaican Stephen Francis, Powell is a religious Christian and the son of two pastors. His parents, Reverend Cislyn Powell (mother) and Reverend William Powell, ( father) are co-pastors of a non-denominational church in Linstead, Jamaica. One of six sons, Asafa has another brother, Donovan Powell, who was also a sprinter on Jamaica's junior national team. Two of his other brothers have died; one was shot and the other passed away of natural causes.

Powell is a student at the University of Technology in Kingston, studying coaching, but says he'd like to eventually study Electrical Engineering. He describes himself as shy and humble.