ANTHONY FOSTER Freelance Writer
Asafa Powell of Jamaica runs to win the100 metres race in a time of 10.29 seconds at the A-Series athletics meet, part of the IAAF World Athletics Tour, at Melbourne's Olympic Park, Thursday, March 9. - REUTERS
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO'S sprint duo of Marc Burns and Darell Brown have expressed confidence in beating Jamaica's world 100m record holder Asafa Powell when the 100m runs off at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia, on Sunday.
Burns, the World Athletics Final gold medallist, said he is hoping to capitalise on Powell's hype going into the event.
Powell is the overwhelming favourite for what would be the first title of his career.
"That's certainly an advantage for me, since there'll be a lot of pressure on Powell," Burns told the Trinidad Express.
"He has to go out there and prove himself once again," he continued.
Last week Powell was quoted as saying, "I need the confidence but I'm the world record holder and I had to prove that I am," after cruising 10.29 seconds victory at the World Athletics Tour Opener at Olympic Park.
"I'm still the fastest man on earth. I haven't been on the track for almost a year but you can look for something different at the Commonwealth Games," he added.
World Championships 100m silver medallist Darrell Brown said the burden of expectation will be shared.
"Everybody is looking for him (Powell) to win but people in the race know about me and Marc as well, so a little bit of the focus will be on us," he explained.
The world junior 100m record holder, Brown, also pointed out that Powell is under more pressure to produce.
"More will be on Powell but some people still expect us to give him a challenge.
"I just have to think positive, do everything I've done in training and, hopefully, put together a good race," he continued.
Burns, who teamed up with Kevon Pierre, Jacey Harper and Brown for Trinidad's sprint relay silver in a national record time of 38.10 seconds at the 2005 World Championships in Helsinki, Finland, believes T&T can join the sub-38 club in Melbourne.
"Once we get the stick around smoothly enough, we have the leg speed to run 37. It's within reach, and the chemistry among the guys is great, so we'll just go out there and have fun. Yes, 37 is attainable."
In an interview last month, Powell, the world's fastest man, said that he's very confident of his team's (4x100m) chances.
"I am very confident about the team," he said. "We are going there for a national record (38.20) and if the world record is the national record, we'll do it," said Powell, who holds the world 100m record of 9.77 seconds.
Jamaica's World Champion-ships 100m silver medallist, Michael Frater, also believes Jamaica's chances are very good.
"With Asafa Powell back from injury we should be able to win the gold without a doubt," he said.
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