Jamaica's Asafa Powell breaks 100 meter record

[barosa]

Re: Jamaica's Asafa Powell breaks 100 meter record

Originally posted by iluvportland:

Mi did see pon di world news lass night. Dem had fi slow down di race suh yuh could watch it.


Wait until dem start fi study his dynamics, power, strides, start and finishes, The Americans will be watching a lot of "slo-motion". It's just that it wont help dem no matter how many clips they watch... He will "dust" them just the same.

------------------
When wi good, wi good Bad!!

[tonirand]

Re: Jamaica's Asafa Powell breaks 100 meter record

Mi still a wandah. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

Wish him nerves nevva did tek him a di olympics. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] Di bredda went in as di favrit - bar none.

Ah well. Him young an him seem focused an ting. In one interview he mentions his upbringing and socialisation as his strong points (paraphrasing).

Expecting to hear greater things from him in years to come. He's four years in the bizniz. Ottey and Devers heng aan to di laas [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] (drug assisted ar nat is annedda story).

Anyways, we can watch from here on in

[tonirand]

Re: Jamaica's Asafa Powell breaks 100 meter record

AAlso, in the same article it was mentioned that Asafa means 'rising to the occasion'

[Sinco01]

Re: Jamaica's Asafa Powell breaks 100 meter record

Originally posted by barosa:
[qb] Originally posted by iluvportland:

Mi did see pon di world news lass night. Dem had fi slow down di race suh yuh could watch it.


Wait until dem start fi study his dynamics, power, strides, start and finishes, The Americans will be watching a lot of "slo-motion". It's just that it wont help dem no matter how many clips they watch... He will "dust" them just the same.

------------------
When wi good, wi good Bad!! [/qb]

see it deh ... [img]/forums/images/graemlins/704555_dwl.gif[/img]

naw guh help dem ah bax foot ... [img]/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[barosa]

Re: Jamaica's Asafa Powell breaks 100 meter record

Originally posted by Wendy:

What mi cyan undastan is how some a dem Jamaican atheletes mash up di scene ina di lickle track meet dem an den go pan di Olympic stage an freeze up

Come on! Wendy, What about Donavon Bailey? There definetely was no freeze up in Atlanta. You must have forgotten how he "smoked" them! both in 100m and in the 4x100 relay. Three of the four boys in the relay were Jamaicans.

Just thought I'd remind you.

------------------
When wi good, wi gud Bad! aint it?

[jammin]

Re: Jamaica's Asafa Powell breaks 100 meter record

Did you guys know that both Asafa and Veronica Campbell both have the fastest times in the 100m this year.

Asafa 9.77
Campbell 10.96

Jamaica is on top of the sprint world right now.

[X]

Re: Jamaica's Asafa Powell breaks 100 meter record

HERO'S WELCOME
Powell hailed as role model for the young
GARFIELD MYERS, Sports editor
Thursday, June 16, 2005




New world record-holder over 100 metres Asafa Powell (centre), hugs mother Cislin while father William looks on upon arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport yesterday. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

His enormous potential as a role model for misguided youth in a troubled nation took pride of place, as new world record-holder over 100 metres, Asafa Powell, received a hero's welcome at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston yesterday.

Against the backdrop of sport being "the most powerful, unifying force in the world", an emotional Minister of Sports Portia Simpson Miller exhorted criminals to discard the gun and their destructive ways and follow the footsteps of young Jamaican heroes such as Powell.

She urged criminals and anti-social types to "reflect that there is a different way and that there is another way. Asafa took to the track and proved... in a very positive way that he is the fastest man alive in the world.

" He didn't do it by moving around with a gun to destroy other lives... Can't you now look at this son of Jamaica, our son, your brother, stop the killings... can't you see that there is a different way and a better way ... that you can catch the attention of the world by doing something that is positive, you can catch the attention of the world and you can become number one...."


Simpson MIller. wants partnership for scholarships
The 22 year-old Powell became the first Jamaican to break the 100-metre world record when he clocked 9.77 seconds during an international Grand Prix athletic meet at the Olympic Stadium in Athens, Greece, on Tuesday, bettering the 9.78 set by American Tim Mongomery in Paris in September, 2002.

The venue was the scene of Powell's disappointing run in the Olympic final last year, when he crossed the line fifth, in 9.94 seconds having been heavily favoured to take Gold.
Asafa's father, William Powell, his mother, Cislin Powell, brother Nigel, and infant niece, Vanica as well government minister and St Catherine member of parliament Bobby Pickersgill; other members of the political directorate, executive members of the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association (JAAA); Olympians, a large contingent from the University of Technology - where Powell is a student - led by president Dr Rae Davis and members of the MVP Track Club of which he is a member were on hand to greet the world record-holder.

They crowded the tarmac, pushing towards the side of the plane as a relaxed, smiling Powell disembarked. They moved in closer a few beating pot-covers before rain drops - the precursor to a very heavy shower sent everyone scurrying for the Hospitality Room at the airport.

Simpson MIller's sentiments found favour with other speakers including Pickersgill, Davis, Opposition spokesman on youth James Robertson and young Senator Kern Spencer during the televised ceremony which followed the plane-side welcome.

Speaker after speaker also pointed to the significance of Powell's achievement in the context that he is gome grown and trained. They heaped praise on his coach Stephen Francis, who - like his other succesful athletes at the Athens meet, Sherone Simpson, Brigitte Foster and Michael Frater - arrived on the same flight with Powell.

Simpson Miller also urged the private sector to be partners "with the government and the universities (in offering scholarships) to our sports men and women so that they will remain here, receive their training here and achieve here..."

Powell thanked God, his family and the UTech community for guiding him.

"I always say I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me and he has been strengthening me over these years...

"My parents have been praying for me and the prayers have worked and I think there is a lot more to go... " he said to loud cheers.

In response to a suggestion from a member of the audience that he could run 9.64, a chuckling Powell said: "I don't know if I can run that, but my coach probably sees something else in me and we will work towards it..."

[ILP]

Re: Jamaica's Asafa Powell breaks 100 meter record

Originally posted by barosa:
[qb] Originally posted by iluvportland:

Mi did see pon di world news lass night. Dem had fi slow down di race suh yuh could watch it.


Wait until dem start fi study his dynamics, power, strides, start and finishes, The Americans will be watching a lot of "slo-motion". It's just that it wont help dem no matter how many clips they watch... He will "dust" them just the same.
[/qb]

I want im to dust me

[Rivahman]

Re: Jamaica's Asafa Powell breaks 100 meter record

Originally posted by (H)AnnA(H):
[qb] AAlso, in the same article it was mentioned that Asafa means 'rising to the occasion'

[/qb]

i was trying to figure out what his name meant. If that is indeed true then Sizzla mus feel proud like de res ah wih!


Biggup yuhself Asafa! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[barosa]

Re: Jamaica's Asafa Powell breaks 100 meter record

Oh My! Oh My! ... the politrixans are all beside themselves, jumping on the bandwaggon and trying to identify with success. He maybe a role model for young youths and what can be achieved but no thanks to them. They only excell in failure.

Welcome home ASAFA, we are all proud of you. Jamaica needed something at this time to lift its spirits... Thanks!

------------------
We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future : FDR

[Q3210]

Re: Jamaica's Asafa Powell breaks 100 meter record

Mi tiad fi tell yu dat him name means "to be faster" Afaster Powell.
Speaks for it self.

[X]

Re: Jamaica's Asafa Powell breaks 100 meter record

by di way..meck mi bring dis back up one more time.

[X]

Re: Jamaica's Asafa Powell breaks 100 meter record


Asafa Powell listens to the Jamaican national anthem on Oct. 14, 2004 in Kingston, Jamaica during a ceremony for the Jamaican Olympic team. (AP Photo/Collin Reid )



A visit to Asafa's heartland
We have the fastest man in the world- Reverend Powell
SEAN A WILLIAMS, Observer staff reporter
Saturday, June 18, 2005

New 100-metre world record holder Asafa Powell (second left) with his parents Cislin Powell (left), father William Powell and niece Vanica at the Norman Manley International Airport shortly after Asafa's arrival from Greece on Wednesday. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)


New 100-metre world record holder Asafa Powell (second left) with his parents Cislin Powell (left), father William Powell and niece Vanica at the Norman Manley International Airport shortly after Asafa's arrival from Greece on Wednesday. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

Orangefield is a small farming district located just outside Linstead in St Catherine. And as the name suggests, the main crop is the delightful citrus fruit, the orange.

But the quiet rural settlement has produced more than just the ripened, juicy fruits; it has spawned a couple of Olympians - brothers Donovan and Asafa Powell.

The youngest of the Powell brood at 22, Asafa is today being hailed as the fastest man in history, having clocked 9.77 seconds in the 100-metres on Tuesday in Athens, Greece. Powell broke the world record of 9.78 set by the American Tim Montgomery in Paris three years ago, at the very venue where he finished a disappointing fifth in the 100m final at the Olympic Games last year.

To be deemed the fastest man on earth is a big hat to wear, and a visit to Asafa's family home in humble Orangefield tells a tremendous story that from simple beginnings, great things can emerge.

On the three-and-a-half-mile drive from the Linstead main road to Orangefield, the lush greenery, obviously nourished by the recent rains, pleased the eye. The setting was highlighted by orange orchards - a picture of beauty and old country charm though the fruits are not yet in their ripened state of bright orange.

En route, there were a couple of steep inclines which, Sporting World later learnt, were often used by Asafa and his brothers to build muscles and fitness, as they either jogged or engaged in many friendly sprint battles.

It can be argued that growing up in such humble, but pleasant surroundings, guided on to the straight and narrow by deeply religious parents, provided the foundation for the spawning of a champion.

William and Cislin Powell - the parents of Asafa - are decent and simple folk who worked hard to raise their six children, all boys. Two of those - Michael and Vaughn - have passed away, leaving Donovan (a former Olympian), Nigel, Ricardo and Asafa.

The Powells were strict parents who did not give their boys much room to stray and who did not spare the rod in cases where it was necessary to keep them in line.

"We were very strict parents, maybe too strict. My kids were never allowed to go to dances and shows and those places, and anywhere they wanted to go they would have to get the okay from me. Their mother couldn't make a decision like that on her own," said the senior, now pastor at Redemption National Church of God in the district.

William Powell said all his kids grew up in the church and even told how Asafa used to play the bass guitar and the drums. And although Asafa spends a lot of time in Kingston these days for school and training, when he comes to Orangefield, church is a must.

"...He doesn't go to church so often these days because he is in Kingston, but when he comes here he is under strict guidelines and has to go," William said.

William and Cislin remember their youngest son as a quiet lad who was shy.

"He was very shy as a little boy and did not talk much. But he was curious and was always around me when I am fixing the car, and after a time he could pull anything off the vehicle," beamed the proud dad.

Cislin recalled how Asafa used to love to be loved, and even as an adult, he still seeks that motherly love.

"Asafa was the one who would always be in my arms, even now as a big man when he comes home the first thing he does is spread out in my arms and I have to remind him that he is not a child anymore," she said, smiling.

Growing up with five elder brothers shaped Asafa into a competitive dynamo, a virtue that he has kept with him until this day.

"From a little boy Asafa had a competitive spirit. We used to have a lot of races on the street here, and from then he showed potential and wanted to race against us, his bigger brothers. In fact, he beat Vaughn, whom he follows," recollects older brother Nigel, who now teaches music at Charlemont High School in the parish.

"He loved track and field from he was young and he wanted to emulate Donovan, so I am not surprised that he set the new record...," added Nigel.

At Charlemount High, Asafa was king, but did not receive his crowning moments there, as explained by his father: "I heard then that he was the best at Charlemount and I went to watch him and saw right away that he had potential.

"Then, he ran everything from 100, 200 and 400m, and he had no competition as he (virtually) walked past the other runners," said Reverend William.

"But nobody knew of him, so I tried to get him into St Jago, but that did not work out, so a good friend of mine named Mrs Frazer got him to go to Jose Marti to do some training in the evenings, and then from there he went to UTech (where he is still a student) and it was there he developed," noted Powell Snr.

Before the race at the Tsiklitiria Super Grand Prix where Asafa smashed Montgomery's record, William Powell said he whispered a prayer for his son. "In my last prayer, I said to God, 'Lord, it is you who gives people talent and Asafa has a determination to break the world record and I leave it in your hands'," said the 58 year-old.

William said his son told him he was going for the record and said he has gotten into the habit of believing Asafa's promises. "When he tells you that he is going to do something, count on him, he is going to do it," he said.

"I am proud of Asafa and what he has been doing and he makes me feel good that right here (Orangefield) we have the fastest man in the world. That he is my last son makes me especially proud...," he added.

For Reverend Powell, his dream is to see his son win the Olympic gold medal.

Cislin, too, was overwhelmed with pride when she got the news that her son was the world's fastest man. "When my phone rang and it was my son Donovan who was on the phone and (he) told me... I just said, 'Thank you, Jesus...'," she said.

"From here I just want to see him go to the sky and with prayer he can do it...," she added.

Brother Nigel is of the opinion that Asafa's shortcoming at the Olympics last year might have been a blessing in disguise. "Not winning a medal in the Olympics did a lot for Asafa, I believe.

"Losing out there motivated him to go after the world record, and now all I want for him is that he continues to strive for excellence, as I believe that he has not reached his full potential yet," he said.

The Powell family, like many in Jamaica, knows tragedy and suffering, but it is their devout belief in God and a close family bond that has kept them in the race of life.

Brother Michael was murdered in a cab in New York, while Vaughn collapsed and died on a football field in Georgia. Reverend Powell, too, was shot in his jaw some years ago at his home in a robbery attempt, and pointed to the bullet hole that remains on his front door.

All these tragic incidents in the lives of the Powells terribly affected Asafa, but the young man kept his mark.
"He is a good guy and he has a big heart," said his father