Asafa Powell powers to the 9.77 second World record in Athens (© AFP/Getty Images)
In the last few minutes, Asafa Powell of Jamaica has, subject to ratification, broken the World 100 metres record at the Athens Super Grand Prix Tsiklitiria 2005.
Powell's time was clocked as 9.78 seconds equalling the existing World record - Tim Montgomery, USA, Paris, France, 14/09/2002 - but a few minutes later this was corrected officially to 9.77 (wind 1.6m/s) after examination of the photo-finish images. His reaction time at the start was 0.150.
“I knew that I could do it," commented Powell. "I did my best. It feels great to be the fastest man of the world."
How fast can you go this season?
“Who knows? 9 something...I love Greece and I will come back here next year.”
Powell is the Overall number one athlete in the world, as announced in today's IAAF World Rankings - click here.
I am very happy that in my second presence here in Greece, I achieved this performance," continued Powell as few minutes later. "It is amazing that after Maurice Greene that I also have achieved a World record in this stadium and for this marvellous meet organization."
"I knew that I could break the World record and I am very happy that I succeeded. If you ask what I can do more this year, you will just have to wait until the end of this year’s season to see," ended the new World record breaker
Aziz Zakari who came second (9.99): “ It is my second time in a race in which a World record was broken (Paris). That is okay. He (Asafa) deserves it. We are all athletes and today it was him, it might be me next time (running a WR). He worked hard and he deserves it. It was a great race. A world record is not a joke.”
Quotes provided by Alexandra Knoke for the IAAF in Athens
Editor's note - a full meeting report from our correspondent Michalis Nikitaridis will follow after all tonight's competitions are completed in Athens.
