Jamaicans Powell, Stewart win meet in Doha

Former 100-metre world record holder Asafa Powell of Jamaica recovered from a poor start to win the 100 metres today with a wind-aided time of 9.81 seconds at the inaugural Diamond League meet in Doha.



Powell was slow out of the blocks and stepped out of his lane three times before blowing past the field near the end. He ran an even faster wind-aided 9.75 in his qualifying heat.



Fellow Jamaican Nesta Carter was .07 seconds back in second, while last year\'s Doha winner Travis Padgett of the United States was third.



Olympic and world champion Usain Bolt and Tyson Gay of the United States skipped the meet.



Earlier, Jamaica had a one-two finish in the women’s 200 metres.



Kerron Stewart won the event in 22.34 ahead of Sherone Simpson, who clocked 22.64. Jamaican Sherri-Ann Brooks was fourth in 22.73 and Anneisha McLaughlin was fifth in 22.93.



There was a third place finish for Jamaica as Novlene Williams-Mills clocked 50.50 in the women’s 400 metres won by American Allyson Felix in 50.15. Jamaican Shericka Williams was sixth in 51.11.



Isa Phillips and Delloreen Ennis-London were also sixth in their events.



Phillips clocked 50.25 seconds in the men’s 400-metre hurdles won by American Bershawn Jackson in 48.66.



Ennis-London clocked 12.75 in the women’s 100-metre hurdles won by American Lolo Jones, who won in a time of 12.63.



The Doha meet is the first of 14 around the world in the Diamond League, which is the successor to the Golden League.