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October 7, 2011
Star Sport


 

Asafa Powell not threatened by Blake
Andre Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter


Asafa Powell

Former 100m world record holder Asafa Powell has welcomed the emergence of 100m World Champion Yohan Blake but made it clear that he does not feel threatened by the 21-year-old.

Powell, who had to sit out the World Championships in Daegu due to injury, had to watch as Blake wrote his name in the record books, becoming the youngest ever 100m World champion.

Blake also went on to record the second fastest time over 200m a few days later at a Diamond League meet in Brussels; 19.26 seconds - just seven hundredth of a second slower than the current world record of 19.19, which belongs to his stablemate Usain Bolt.

The 28-year-old from MVP Track Club, despite respecting the abilities of his younger countryman, is assured in his own talent and is looking forward to what is expected to be an exciting 2012 showdown between himself and the Racers Track Club pair of Blake and Bolt.

"He is coming on great," Powell said of Blake's development before pointing out that the youngster's arrival on the big stage augers well for Jamaica's continued dominance in international sprinting and for the sport in general.

"First it was me and Usain and Nesta (Carter) came on and now Yohan, so it's a never-ending process. I am feeling very good about that and it shows that we can continue to produce excellent athletes. It brings a lot more attention to Jamaica because at first it all used to be about myself and Usain but now everyone is wondering where all of our talent is coming from and it's good for Jamaica and good for the sport," Powell added.

Nonetheless, Powell is not getting worked up about Blake's threat to his own ambitions but underlined that he is not taking anything for granted and is conscious of the effort that will be necessary if he is to get the better of the youngster next year and beyond.

"I am not threatened though," Powell said. "I know what I can do and I know what I am supposed to do so I definitely am not threatened but I recognise that he is a great competitor and you cannot take anyone lightly at this level."


Yohan Blake

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