Asafa Powell (JAM) goes for strength training with 400m outing in Kingston (© Anthony Foster)
Asafa Powell, male World Athlete of the Year and Sherone Simpson, the fastest women’s sprinter in 2006, launched their 2007 competitive programme at 7th annual edition of The Queen's/Grace Jackson Invitational held at the National Stadium east complex on Saturday (27).
Powell, the World 100m record holder opened up with a 47.67 seconds run in the men's 400m, while Simpson won the women’s one lap sprint in 53.40.
However, despite crossing the line first in his heat (one), Powell had to settle for fourth overall as his MVP training partner Mario Forsythe (47.42), Chumaine Fitten (47.60) and Leford Green (47.61) produced fastest times in their heats.
Powell's times was a huge personal best for the distance, his previous fastest being the 48.28 seconds that he produced at the same meeting in 2006.
Powell, who went out hard and had the field covered by the time he reached the backstretch, found things more challenging with the strong head wind.
"I went out as planned, but I did not finish as I wanted to, because when I got into the straight the wind was too strong…. It was my aim to run 46 or 47 seconds, so I am happy with the end result," confirmed Powell.
While admitting he don't like the 400m event, Powell said he was happy to follow coach Stephen Francis’ instructions because it's part of the strength building programme ahead of the summer’s target of the World Championships in Osaka.
"Last season I ran a lot of over distance races and I finished the season a lot stronger, so I guest the stronger I am is the better for me….”
Brown, satisfied - Frater, delighted
Meanwhile, two other potential medal contenders in Osaka, Trinidad & Tobago's Darrell Brown (50.08) and Jamaica’s Michael Frater (50.40), respectively the 2003 and the 2005 World Championship 100m silver medallist, both ran in heat four.
Brown, who was running his very first 400m, said: "It wasn't as difficult as I thought, but it was a pretty tough race. First 400 ever, I found it to be a pretty good time, although I wanted to run at least 49, but I will take 50 for now," Brown added.
As for Frater, "I think I could run a lot faster today, but I don't know how to run a 400. I just went out there and tried to do something," said Frater who was delighted with his time, a personal best.
Hard and difficult run for Simpson
On the women's side, Sherone Simpson, the fastest woman in the world last season at 100m and 200m, won the women’s 400m in 53.40 seconds. She finished ahead of team-mates Brigitte Foster-Hylton (54.44), who is a strong contender for the 100m Hurdles gold in Osaka, and Nyoka Cole (55.01).
"I was a very hard race, that's what I can say about that race," Simpson said. "It was difficult to run the entire 400m.”
Foster-Hylton, the 2003 World silver and 2005 bronze medallist at 100m Hurdles, who challenged Simpson right up to the last few metres, said: "the 400m is something I never really look forward to … but it's part of my programme and I did it because I have to do it".
South African Geraldine Pillay, the Commonwealth Games 100m and 200m silver and bronze medallist respectively, finished seventh with 57.13.
"I am very happy that it is over," said Pillay, who said she was nervous going into her very first 400m. "I wasn't as bad as anticipated I guest, my nerves really got hold of me, but once I started running, it was kind of fun, but I don't think I will do this every Saturday.”
In the 200m sprint, Aleen Bailey, a member of Jamaica's sprint relay gold medal team at the Athens Olympics, won the 200m event in 23.65 seconds.
World Junior 400m Hurdles champion Kalise Spencer, also from the MVP group, won the women's 800m in 2:06.30 while Shericka Williams was sixth in 2:19.17.
Anthony Foster for the IAAF