Asafa Powell, has a long list of none achievements, an even longer list of disappointments.
Who is Asafa ? He's the son of a Preacher, the brother of a sprinter Donovan Powell and a nice guy to people who know him. Asafa is a revolutionary to all who know anything about track and field, no other sprinter in history has gone under 10 seconds more than that of Mr Powell. He's the first and still the only man in History to successfully break the 9.8 barrier twice in one day . He broke his own world record of 9.77 secs running 9.74 easing up the last 15 meters then 9.78 just over an hour later.
This Mr Powell is the same guy that inspired a nation of quality Jamaican Athletes. His exploits on the European circuit set off an onslaught by his fellow Jamaicans. Asafa was a celebrity of the highest regard in his homeland of Jamaica inspiring hit songs and covered billboards on Highways. He was the man. Powell disappointed his fans in 2004 after an abysmal showing at the Athens Olympic games where he finished 5th after being touted as the odds on favorite. This transgression he was forgiven of, as his faithful fans continued to embrace him and cheer him on . An inspired Powell with the intent to prove his doubters wrong, ran a personal best and world record of 9.77 secs the following year. After suffering injury he missed the world championships and a chance to fully redeem himself.
2007 was the year to get it done and put away his demons but again Mr Powell failed to live up to the billing . He could plead the excuse of coming off an injury but anyone who watched that race could tell he was the best athlete on the track . He handed the World title to American rising star Tyson Gay with a time of 9.85 secs, a time Powell runs without thought. Powell literally got frightened and chickened out of the race giving up even the silver medal to A guy who is no where in his class.
These are the reasons many doubt Powell, these are the reasons many ridicule Powell, these the reasons many ignore the possibility of him wining when it counts. Asafa is a bookies best friend, they know for sure he will loose when challenged.
Need i even mention Beijing China? where he was assured of a silver medal at the least but somehow ended up in 5th place..... Again!!! . Its quite baffling the record of such a renown sprinter isn't it ? 2009 was a difficult year for Powell , for the first time since 2006 Asafa failed to run below 9.8 secs . He missed eight weeks of training with a bothersome ankle injury .Even with the troublesome injury Powell managed a 3rd place finish Behind American Tyson Gay and his fellow Countryman Usain Bolt with a time of 9.84 secs. This was Powells best ever run in a final , funny enough 9.84 was the world record up until 1999, this alone should let you know how talented this man is. Its disappointing to even non Jamaicans to watch such a blessed individual fail to fully realize his potential .
2010 now the fail of all fails in my opinion, this is the first year in a long time Powell had no complaints about injuries and was looking to be the cream of the crop again running stellar times in the IAAF's Diamond League. He had the world lead along with Usain Bolt of 9.82 secs and the type of momentum many sprinters dream of . His much hyped clash with Tyson Gay in Gateshead England was supposed to be his moment to bury an injured Tyson Gay and Stamp his mark on the season . This was not realized as a complacent Powell allowed the ever threatening Gay to nip him at the line . A powerful headwind of -1.8 prevented us from being treated with what could have been very good times on a very fast track. Gay won the event with a seasons best of 9.94 secs followed by Powell with a time of 9.96 secs. Even non Jamaicans were baffled, reviewing the tape clearly shows that Powell relaxed at around the 70m mark which allowed a fast finishing Tyson Gay to clip him at the line .
These were the remarks made by Powell following the event .
"I don't feel that bad. I was pushing through to the line and started to ease up a bit too much. I think I forgot it was Tyson Gay out there. In the last 20 – 30m I should have ran differently. But he's a great sprinter and I gave him a chance. I didn't see him coming. Next time I will. I got a great start but I need a strong finish too. Next time I will step it up. I relaxed too soon and he got me on the tape. It's no set back though because I know what shape I'm in. I know I'll be ready for Bolt next week. I ran 9.96 in a headwind so that's pretty good "How can you not feel bad after loosing a race to your main rival who is injured and was yet to run a 100m event all year? Powell clearly has mental problems that his coach has failed to deal with , He needs a new approach to this event if he is to ever win anything of substance in his pet event . Next years 2011 World championship is Powell's last chance to grab a hold of that coveted Gold Medal he needs to solidify himself as one of the all time greats.
Asafa means to rise to the occasion and up to this day Mr Powell has yet to do his name justice . Asafa its time to put up or shut up .
Follow us on twitter http://twitter.com/SportsYabor
This right here is a good one, i always thought powell might be it one day but after saturday it seems hopeless for this guy
ReplyDeletePowell underestimate tyson in that last reason, he will do better vs Usain this week .
ReplyDeleteyou must be on drugs, Bolt will demolish that punk Powell . even when he's injured. If he cant beat Tyson Gay how can he even walk next to Bolt .
ReplyDeletePowell is the boss despite all this, he's the reason for all the great sprinting we see on the island these days. Without him running so well no the circuit i dont think even usain would be doing what he's doing right now . he would be a good 200m guy but i doubt he would have ever even tried the 100. Take into consideration that its after Bolt ran the 100 he became so good at the 200.
ReplyDeletewell ppl have their views on someone. But we all need to learn a thing or two about running. No matter how many races Usain runs, he will always be playing catch up with running sub-tens. asafa is a wise individual who takes things in strides. Injury is a cruel thing in any sports. A lot of us talking, arent talking about the four-year absence Usain took because of injury. And if we watch the race with Gay we would realise that Gay gave his all to catch Powell. That has proved that Asafa is improving mentally and physically, and that he wont be intimidated by anyone again. All we want is for him to satisfy our ego by winning a covetous Gold. It will come in due time. Trust mi....we will soon see an asafa powell like neva b4
ReplyDeleteTruth is Powell did underestimate Tyson in that last race, from all accounts Tyson was injured but i think he's a liar . He uses that to throw off his opponents. He said the same thing last season and he ran a personal best twice. When he was injured in 2008 he couldn't even make the olympic Final so that alone should let us know . all this injury talk is bullshit.
ReplyDeleteTyson Gay is the best at mind games when he clashes with Asafa Powell, i can't understand why Asafa is taking so so to figure out this Gay Tyson.
ReplyDelete