September 28 2006 at 12:19PM
Kingston - World 100m record-holder Asafa Powell was back in Jamaica in celebratory mood this week, savouring a successful 2006 campaign.
Powell, who won a share of the $1-million (about R7-million) Golden League Jackpot, had a record 12 sub-10 second performances in the 100m, which which included two world record equalling runs of 9.77sec in Gateshead and Zurich.
“Awesome,” was the word Powell used to discribed the season when he arrived in Kingston on Tuesday. "It was a really, really great season.
“I have nothing to complain about, it was a really great season for me.”
‘I have nothing to complain about’
Powell’s season started off with victory in the 100m at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia, his first major international title.
However, it was his 9.77 performances, which made the season extra special for the 23-year-old Jamaican.
“The highlight was when I surprised myself and ran 9.77 in Gateshead and again in Zurich - those were really the high points for me,” he said.
Powell said he expected to return to training in October, and he was already looking forward to 2007.
However, he admitted he is not sure who will emerge to challenge him, with world and Olympic champion Justin Gatlin battling a ban in the wake of a failed dope test in April.
The test came before Gatlin matched the world record of 9.77sec in Doha in May, tying the mark first established by Powell in Athens in June 2005, and the American could yet lose his status as co-world record-holder.
“I don’t know, next season, I don’t know, I don’t know if Tyson Gay is going to come back in the same form, same shape,” Powell said.
But whatever the opposition, Powell said he planned to return “the same or better”.
He also said he planned to run the 200m more. In his lone 200m this season, which handed him his first national 200m title, Powell ran an impressive 19.93 seconds.