Formerly the world's fastest man, Asafa Powell admits that mistakes have in the past cost him dearly in the quest to claim a first major world title, but says he is as determined as ever to set things right at the Daegu World Championships later this month.

Blasting to a then world record of 9.77 in 2005, the argument could be made that Powell ruled supreme over sprinting for a three-year spell, that is until 2008, which saw the emergence of countryman Usain Bolt. However, the critics will be quick to point out that Powell, despite having all the fastest times, was a king without a crown.

In 2007 at the IAAF World Championships in Osaka, Japan, Powell, favoured to take the gold medal, finished in third place behind Tyson Gay and surprisingly Derrick Atkins. A year later, at the Olympic Games in Beijing,

expected to be a strong challenger to Bolt, Powell finished a disappointing fifth.

"I remember in 2005 when I broke the world record but I made a few mistakes and got injured," Powell told British online newsource Sportinglife.com.

"In 2007 I was too confident, I was the fastest person in that World Championship final but finished third and 9.86 won the final when I was a 9.7 runner.

criticism

'I've been making a lot of mistakes over the years, too many mistakes. If I had run like I should, I would have got gold medals at all these championships.'

"I've been making a lot of mistakes over the years, too many mistakes. If I had run like I should, I would have got gold medals at all these championships.

"I'm used to the criticism about not doing it at the big championships. It's true in some ways and I've had to learn to live with it. I don't have much time, so I'm not going to waste my chances."

The athlete, who faces a strong 100m field at the Aviva London Diamond League meet today, an event which will consist of teammates Yohan Blake and Nesta Carter, while looking forward to the encounter seems wary of getting injured ahead of Daegu.

"This is my last race before Daegu," Powell said.

"It's important to test where you are and make sure everything is working fine, but you still have to be cautious, make the right decisions, decide is it smart to run fast or take it easy."