Powell suffers injury, in doubt for trials

Raymond Graham, Gleaner Writer

FORMER 100-metre world-record holder Asafa Powell suffered a major setback three weeks before the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association/Supreme Ventures Limited National Senior Championships while competing at the International Mohammed VI d'Athlétisme IAAF World Challenge Meet in Rabat, Morocco.

Powell stopped about 20 metres into the event before walking through the finish line, apparently suffering from a hamstring injury.

Following his second-place finish to countryman Usain Bolt in his last race in Rome, Powell was hoping to put down a good time in what was expected to be his last outing before the Championships, which will be used to select Jamaica's team to the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Daegu, South Korea.

Showing his trademark good start, Powell was out of the blocks very quickly, but as soon as he came out of his driving phase, he came to a complete stop, holding his right hamstring, and was accredited with a time of 36.13 seconds.

Homeboy Aziz Ouhadia won the event in 10.27 seconds, getting the better of former world junior sprint-double champion Francis Obikweli who now competes for Portugal in 10.31 seconds, with Peter Emelieze of Nigeria coming in third in 10.40 seconds.

best result

Two other Jamaicans competed at the meet, with MVP Track Club's Ainsley Waugh having the best result as he finished second in the men's 200 metres in 20.52 seconds. Following his good win at the Ostrava Meet in the event a few days ago, Marvin Anderson could only manage fifth in 20.59 seconds. The event was won by Jonathan Borlee of Belgium in 20.42 seconds.