By Susan Beckford
Asafa Powell looks a more energetic and confident sprinter this season and promises to deliver at the global championships this term.
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The Jamaican speedsters has set his sights on winning the gold medal at the IAAF World Championships in Daegu, Korea, later this summer, especially with Tyson Gay not in the running.
However, his preparation continues with a 100m dash at Sunday’s Aviva Birmingham Grand Prix – Samsung Diamond League meeting – where the current world-leader at 9.78seconds will face fellow countrymen Nesta Carter and Michael Frater.
American Michael Rogers, Norway’s Jaysuma Ndure Saidy, Richard Thompson of Trinidad and Tobago and Kim Collins of St Kitts and Nevis are also key challengers to Powell, who knows now that Usain Bolt is perhaps his biggest rival as he seeks his first individual world championships gold medal.
Meanwhile, American 100m champion and world-leader in that event, Carmelita Jeter, will run another 200m dash on the circuit this campaign. She will face Bahamas’ Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie, Ivet Lalova of Bulgaria and a hosts of Americans, including Marshevet Myers and Bianca Knight.
Elsewhere, Sanya Richards-Ross races against Novlene Williams-Mills and Amantle Montsho in the women’s 400m; Abubaker Kaki and Amine Laalou will line up together in the men’s 800m; Bershawn Jackson, Javier Culson, Johnny Dutch and Felix Sanchez go off in the men’s 400m, while Brittney Reese will be hoping to continue her good run in the Diamond League this season in the women’s Long Jump.
In other events, Christian Cantwell, Tomasz Majewski and Reese Hoffa are in a very strong men’s shot put field and Kellie Wells and Blanka Vlašic top the women’s 100m hurdles and high jump, respective competition battles.
