While we are naturally delighted with Asafa Powell's world record breaking performance in Reiti, Italy, on Sunday, we must point out the roots of his performance in the 2007 World Championships, held in Osaka, Japan.

And we are not making a comparison with his bronze medal performance in the finals of the 100m race, as might be expected, but pointing to his terrific anchor leg performance in the 4x100m relay.

In that race we saw a different expression from Asafa Powell from the stone-faced stare down the track that we are used to. Coming off the loss to Gay just days before, he looked, for a change, to be emotional, as in angry. As in wanting to not simply run fast, as he can do all day long, but to eat somebody and beat them badly.

In the end, Jamaica was just too far behind when Powell got the baton, but those who say the astounding acceleration and his expression at the end knew that this was something special, a new level of mental resolve.

The results are clear to see and, seeing that he coasted to the finish line, we are sure, as Powell said, that he can go much faster.

We also note that he said finally he is listening to his coach. This shows that no matter how talented an individual, he or she needs to not only get guidance but to actually follow it. This should be instructive to those who are so confident in their personal abilities that they are satisfied with what they have achieved, rather than seeing to do even better with other persons' input.