Andre Lowe, Special Projects Editor - Sports

BEIJING, China:

Asafa Powell is in tremendous shape and is ready to contend for the gold medal.

That is the message from his brother and coach Donovan Powell, as the two-time World 100m bronze medallist arrived in Beijing, China, yesterday ahead of this weekend's start of the IAAF World Championships in Athletics.

Donovan has been coaching his younger brother for over a year and has seen him post seven sub-10 second times this year with a season's best mark of 9.81 seconds, which makes him the second fastest man behind American Justin Gatlin.

It's part of the reason behind a renewed sense of confidence around the former world 100m record holder and his handlers, with his coach believing that he in shape to take the top spot

"It's been a great experience coaching him (Asafa). It doesn't seem to me that I'm coaching him, it feels like I'm just guiding him and I'm trying to guide him in the right direction," Donovan told STAR Sports. "He is in tremendous shape now, his weight is down and we are looking forward to the competition, to getting him through the rounds without problems."

The coach went on to state that he is confident Asafa will lower his 9.72 personal best although he does not necessarily think he would need to in order to win a medal here.

"I've told him to just be confident, go out there and execute and run his own race," said Donovan. "We are looking for a PB this year and I see where we can get that done here."

Powell's 9.72 personal best came in Lausanne in 2008.