After seeing his world record 9.74 seconds erased in late May by his countryman Bolt, with a new time of 9.72, Powell, will want to set things straight on home soil by reclaiming his title as the world's fastest man.
Powell made his intentions clear on the weekend in Trinidad and Tobago when he coasted to an easy 9.96 seconds to win his semi-final at that country's champ-ionships. He easily defeated current world number three Richard Thompson.
Thompson who has a best of 9.93 this year and who has dominated the American college sprints this season while repre-senting Louisiana State University, had no answer for the former number one. The race was Powell's first 100m run since he clocked 10.04 in Australia on February 21.
Since making his mark this season in his new event, Bolt who has destroyed all before him so far will receive his sternest test. He will be hoping to get a perfect start as Powell with his excellent drive phase could get away and although Bolt has good top end speed he could be found wanting at the end.
sub 9.70?
If both men come pumped up for this event then the fans could witness the first legal sub-9.70 run ever as both men have the ability to take the 100m record to a new height.
Bolt and Powell are set to get the lion's share of the attention, but the next four spots in this event should be just as close and competitive. The others are seeking the third individual spot and also places on Jamaica's sprint relay team.
Two of Powell's training part-ners, Nesta Carter and Michael Frater, along with Clement Campbell, Steve Mullings, Marvin Anderson, Julian Dunkley and Dwight Thomas, are expected to have a thrilling battle here.
Dunkley with a 10.07 in Utah in May is the number three man, but both Frater and Carter with 10.08 this season are not far behind. The vastly improved Carter who clocked his season best at the Berlin meet is blessed with early speed and could get away from the others and hold on for that very important third spot.
Frater's two last runs have not been impressive but the 2005 World 100m silver medallist is very experienced and could strike when it matters most.
After being absent from the national team for years, Campbell made a welcome return last year by finishing in the top three at the National Championship where he then went on to make the semi-finals in Osaka. He has been competing well on the circuit this season and will want to duplicate his 2007 performance by finishing in the top three once again.
Because of injuries both Thomas and Mullings have made slow progress this year. A fit Thomas and Mullings would have little or no problem finishing in the top six but it is very difficult to assess their chances due to their inactivity this season.
Last but not least is Anderson. A member of the sprint relay team which placed second in a national record 37.89 in Osaka last year, Anderson looked good in Martinique in May where he clocked 10.12 in a 2.2 metres per second following wind, just above the legal limit.
He also had injury problems but has recovered well and has been busy working out in Jamaica and could squeeze into the top six.
Both the Bolt and Powell camps have been playing down the likelihood of a big clash, but with the two fastest men on earth to do battle, bragging rights are at stake and it is very difficult to hold back in an event which will be over in a flash.
Things may change between now and the Olympic Games in Beijing in August but based on his current form, Bolt is given a very, very slight edge over Powell with Carter taking third ahead of Frater.
Top six: 1. Usain Bolt, 2. Asafa Powell, 3. Nesta Carter, 4. Michael Frater, 5. Julian Dunkley, 6. Clement Campbell.
It's Bolt, but only
just over Powell
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Usain Bolt ... tipped to edge Asafa Powell at this weekend's National Senior Championships.
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Asafa Powell
AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino
Asafa Powell of Jamaica acknowledges cheers from fans after winning the final of the 100 metres dash running 9.78 seconds at the Rieti Grand Prix, Italy, yesterday. Previously Powell bettered his world record running 9.74 seconds in the second of two heats to reach the 100 final.
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