Not yet registered? Create a OverBlog!

Create my blog

Asafa Powell: biography

Asafa Powell is a Jamaican sprinter. He's the former world record holder and is still the third fastest man of all time. He has never won an individual Gold at either the World Championships or the Olympics but could 2011 and 2012 be his years?

Beginnings

Born November 23rd 1982 in Spanish Town, Jamaica, he originally thought about becoming a mechanic while studying in Kingston before turning to sprinting. In 2000 he represented his school at the ISSA High School Championships in the 100 and 200 meters. His times of 11.45 & 23.07 seconds weren't enough to see him progress on from the first round but by then the track and field bug had bit him. The next year he competed again in the same championships and improved his times. This time around he was watched by Stephen Francis who saw the talent in him and offered to coach Powell. He is to this day still his coach.

Career

In 2002 Asafa represented Jamaica at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester. He made the semi finals of the 100m finishing 5th in his race with a personal best of 10.26 seconds. At the same games as part of the Jamaican
4 x 100m sprint relay team he came home with the silver medal. In 2003 he competed at his first World Championships but was disqualified for a false start in the quarter finals. The relay team didn't fare any better making it to the final but not getting the baton round to Asafa on the final leg. In 2004 he went to the Athens Olympics as one of the favourites after running a 9.91 seconds in the Jamaican National Championships. After qualifying for the final easily he could only manage 5th place with a time of 9.94 seconds. Later that year he set a new personal best of 9.87 in Brussels. In 2005 he set his first World Record with a time of 9.77 seconds in Athens. In 2006 he competed again at the Commonwealth Games this time coming home from Melbourne with the Gold Medal. That same year he equaled his own world record and in 2007 improved it even further in Italy where he ran
9.74 seconds. At the Beijing Olympics he finished 5th in the final watching Usain Bolt run away with the title, he did however anchor the team home for gold in the relay. His sights are now firmly set in Daegu 2011 where only a World Record is likely to beat Bolt or Gay.

Achievements

Olympics - Gold / relay Beijing
Commonwealth Games - Gold / 100m & relay Melbourne
World Championships - Gold / Relay Berlin

Same category articles Athletics

How to get started in mountain biking

How to get started in mountain biking

Mountain biking is a great way to keep fit and is much better for the joints than high-impact activities such as running or football. a relatively basic bike can take you to some of the most beautiful spots in the country whilst challenging you both mentally and physically. this article will show you what kind of bike to look out for and how to get started in this great hobby.
Oscar Pistorius: biography

Oscar pistorius: biography

Oscar pistorius is a world class paralympian athlete competing in all the sprinting events from 100m to 400m. he is also well known for attempting to qualify for the able bodied olympics. read on to find out if he's managed it.
A guide to five great abs workouts

A guide to five great abs workouts

Ab training is a great exercise, be it to lose your stomach fat or to just work on abdominal fitness. every workout can benefit from incorporating an ab exercise. ab exercises will only aid fat loss when used with a cardio workout. this article will look at the five top abdominal workouts and how to perform them correctly.
How to start running

How to start running

Running is a great way to get fit. it is also a fairly low cost sport. for people who have never ran before, it may seem like a daunting and exhausting task but once started the mental and physical attributes of running become clearer. here is a guide for the best way of getting into running.