Asafa Powell

Asafa Powell, CD (born 23 November 1982) is a Jamaican sprinter who specialises in the 100 metres. He held the 100 metres world record between June 2005 and May 2008, with times of 9.77 and 9.74 seconds. Powell has consistently broken the 10-second barrier in competition, with his personal best of 9.72 s being the fifth fastest time in the history of the event. As of October 2012, Powell has broken the ten-second barrier legally more times than anyone else – 94 times.

Powell competed in the 100 m at the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympics, finishing fifth in 2004 and 2008 and eighth after injuring his groin during the race in 2012. In 2008 he won a gold medal and set the world and Olympic records as part of the Jamaican 4 × 100 metres relay team. At the 2007 Osaka World Championships he won a bronze and a silver medal in the 100 m and 4 x 100 m relay respectively and he has been successful at the Commonwealth Games, winning two gold and one silver medal. At the 2009 World Championships he won 100 m bronze and a relay gold. Powell has won five times at the IAAF World Athletics Final and was formerly the 100 m world record holder for the event.