Kingston, Jamaica - World 100m record holder Asafa Powell, this season’s fastest female over 100m and 200m Sherone Simpson, along with their coach Stephen Francis were on Wednesday (13) honoured by the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association (JAAA) at a luncheon held at the Hilton Hotel.

Guided by Francis at the MVP track club, both sprinters have achieved tremendous successes during the 2006 season.

Powell, who last month in Monaco captured the World Athlete of the Year title, equalled his World record of 9.77 twice in 2006 while becoming the first man in history to run 12 sub-10 second wind legal times. He also won the Commonwealth Games 100 metres, his first major title.

"I hope you have something planned for next year, because we are going to give our best next year. As anything nice, we have to do it twice," said Powell with a smile. “We are (a) small country, but we are big abroad," he said with a smile.

Simpson, who opened up the year with the Commonwealth Games 200 metres title in March, ran 22.00 (200 metres) and 10.82 (100 metres) for the fastest times over the sprints in two years.

"Thank you, JAAA, for showing Asafa, coach Francis and me that our hard work has been appreciated," said Simpson.

"I really, really appreciated this award," said coach Francis who in turn hailed previous gurus such as Glen Mills, Herb McKenley and Dennis Johnson as persons from whom he’d learned from during his early days of coaching. 
 
Anthony Foster for IAAF