Family making the difference for Asafa Powell

Asafa Powell is a self proclaimed ‘new man’ and after listening to his pronouncements and watching him run at the Jamaica National Championships last week, it seems the ‘sub-10 King’ may just be on to something.

Not one known to recover from poor starts to win races, Powell did just that to claim yet another national sprint title, before proudly boasting that Jamaicans need not fear the rest of the world

“We still have it”, he declared. “We have been on top of the world for a number of years now and we are still gonna continue that trend.”

The new found confidence has a lot to do with his current situation under new coach and brother, Donovan Powell.

“Honestly I think that is the main thing, I am trying to be proud of myself and make my brother proud to be coaching me as well. I am very comfortable training with him. With him it’s more of a family thing, it’s coming from the heart, it’s not a business, so I am feeling a lot more comfortable with him,” Asafa revealed.

Exactly where he is and who he is will begin to take shape over the next few weeks, starting with the Diamond League event in Paris on Saturday.

With Usain Bolt missing due to injury, Powell will headline the men’s 100m where he will line up against Americans Mike Rodgers and Clayton Vaughn as well as countryman and former clubmate, Nesta Carter and he is definitely going there to win.

“I am definitely excited, I want to continue my winning streak for this season so I am definitely going there all out.”

The 32 year od who has been plagued with injuries for years says he is healthy and happy, with the main aim being able to put together the perfect race.

“I have had no problems for months now so I am very, very, very comfortable and happy with how my body is cooperating with the training.

“I know I could have gone faster (at trials) but the start just not coming back as yet. My body just needs to remember how to start again. I have been holding back for a number of years because of the groin injury so I am a lot more confident now I know I can explode out of the blocks. The last part of the race is perfect now.”

With just over a month to go before the World Championships and the defending champion Usain Bolt still laid low by injury, it may just be that the forgotten hero, Asafa Powell, carrying the hopes of the “sprint capital” of the world.