Asafa Powell storms to 9.72 sec (2.1m/s) win in Oslo Diamond League (© Mark Shearman)
In his latest IAAF Online Diary, Samsung Diamond League Ambassador Asafa Powell writes that things are going well thus far in his preparation next August's World Championships in Daegu. But the 100m bronze medallist in Berlin the last time around, said he is not fully over his back injury yet.
??"Training is going well. As usual, the first couple of weeks are difficult but I have to try and manage them as best as possible, but I am really doing well, things are going smoothly, there aren't much complaints."
"I am still holding back a little in training because the (back) injury has not fully healed as yet. I give it by year's end, by that time it should be better. The diagnosis is, there's a muscle in my back that got tight and caused the natural arch that's there to straighten out, which is said to be causing the pain in my back.
"Recently I traveled to China to meet with my new sponsors Li Ning for the official signing of my new contract.
"It was hard to change out my closet but I am comfortable with them now and I pretty much get to design my own stuff and choose whatever I want. Before I took what I was given, now I get to choose what I want. And if you are wondering what I did with my Nike gear? I have lots of teammates at MVP who don't have any contracts and they are the ones I gave them to. We have about fifty plus guys up here, who I was happy to distribute them to.
"My new sponsors are also very interested, in supporting my foundation. Just before I go: in November, my foundation handed out approximately US$1600 towards youth development in Jamaica.
"When I was younger, I was not that fortunate, so I want to make sure that I play my role in developing the Usain Bolts, the Shelly-Ann Frasers, the Veronica Campbell-Browns and the Asafa Powells, of tomorrow.
Asafa