LONDON, England, CMC – Jamaican Asafa Powell recovered from his loss to American Justin Gatlin last week to storm to victory on a rainy night at the Shanghai Diamond League here yesterday.
Gearing up for what will be a critical Olympic season, Powell clocked 10.02 seconds at the Shanghai Stadium to grab a confidence-boosting win. He was second to Gatlin in the Diamond League opener in Doha last week Friday.
“It was a good result. Technically it was good. We did a lot of work in Jamaica,” Powell said afterward.
“It’s still two months to the Olympics. I’m satisfied. Shanghai is a good meet, the crowd is fantastic. I’m excited.”
Running out of lane five, the 29-year-old Powell burst from the blocks and had established a solid advantage after 50 metres.
Fellow Jamaican Nesta Carter chased from lane six but faded to finish third as American Michael Rodgers closed quickly to finish second in 10.08 seconds.
Carter was timed at 10.16.
Powell will be gunning for his first ever Olympic title at the London Olympiad which gets underway in July.