ANDRÉ LOWE, Special Projects Editor - Sports

BEIJING, China:

With all the talk about a Usain Bolt-Justin Gatlin clash in the 100m heading into the World Championships, one can be excused for forgetting that another Jamaican speedster, Asafa Powell, is also in the medal mix.

Powell arrived in Beijing as the second fastest man on the planet with his 9.81 season best, bettered only by Gatlin, and having posted seven sub-10 seconds times.

Powell has not been able to shake his reputation of being an athlete who, for the most part, fails to deliver at major international championships.

Still, with two World Championships bronze medals to his name, and more confidence, Powell remains convinced that this may be his shot and welcomes the fact that most eyes are focused elsewhere.

"Let them focus on whoever they want to focus on and leave me out of it. Let me do what I am supposed to do. Everyone has their own opinion and beliefs. I believe in myself, and I am going out there to show them that I am there," Powell told STAR Sports yesterday.

"I'm in gold-medal shape. I am one to contend with and I am going out there to give everything I have," added Powell.

"Come Sunday, when we cross the finish line (after the men's 100m final), I want to be the one in front. That would be the most satisfying thing for me because over the years, I have been running and I've not been able to get that individual gold medal yet, so that's really my aim," said Powell.

"It's a good feeling to be back. We have a lot of great memories here in Beijing," Powell added.