Suddenly, It’s Asafa Powell’s Race to Lose in Melbourne

Asafa Powell is not buying into the naysayers that doubt his abilities on the track.

No.1: He does not believe what the jinx surrounding his past performances in major meets.  Even though he has not medaled in an individual event set stepping on the professional scene.  Powell has talked boldly about working with a sports psychiatrist to focus on improving his peak performances.

No 2: He has heard all the talk about Usain Bolt virtually being preordained to win big this season. Not so fast, the former World Record holder said. Powell told the IAAF.com, “I really want to go below 10 seconds.” “It’s going to be an exciting year. I’m right behind Usain (Bolt) and trying to make my way to the top.”

The No. 2 all-time 100 meter runner is pumped up to face off with No.1 and everyone else coming up this season.  Powell has been looking to the Melbourne meet for months.

Powell loves everything about the place, especially its traditions and its fans.

Powell is expecting a sub 10 second performance, which increases anticipation for the No.1 vs. No 2 face off later in the season. “Sub-10 is easy, so is 9.8,’’ Powell said in Sydney.

Beijing medalist Sally McLellan is not letting the grass grow under her feet.  Last week in Sydney the Australian was busy winning the winning the 100m, the 100m hurdles and the 4×100m relay.  This week, McLellan will have her hands full with Jamaica’s Brigitte Foster-Hylton.

For Steven Hooker home is where the heart is.  Last week in Sydney Steve Hooker was in a league of his own setting the bar at 6.0 meters, chasing down Ukrainian Sergey Bubka’s world record 6.15m.  This week Hooker returns to his hometown in Melbourne.

Tristan Thomas barely edged out Bershawn Jackson 400m Hurdles last week and the two will duke it out again this week in Melbourne.  Granted it was Jackson’s first race of the outdoor season meaning he will likely round into shape as the season progresses.  Also look for Joel Brown and David Oliver to head at it again in the 110 meter hurdles.

Switching gears to indoors, the British medal hopes were dealt a blow following the late withdrawal of multi-eventer Kelly Sotherton from the pentathlon competition at this weekend’s European Indoor Championships in Turin.

Britain’s medal hopes rest on Mo Farah in the 3000 meters, the gold medal could all but be Dwain Chambers in the 60 meters and Marilyn Okoro in the 800 meters.

Click here for live updates on Thursday from the World Athletics Meet in Melbourne.

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