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Athletics: No Powell record

Jamaican powers to victory in IAAF Grand Prix meeting at Rieti

Last updated: 7th September 2008

Powell: Italian win

Asafa Powell's quest to regain the 100m sprint world record continues after he failed to set a new best in Italy on Sunday.

The Jamaican sprint sensation clocked 9.82sec in the final of IAAF Grand Prix meeting at Rieti, having previously timed 9.77sec in his heat.

The 25-year-old set the old world record of 9.74sec on the same track last year and had been targeting the new 9.69sec record, held by compatriot and triple Olympic champion Usain Bolt, in the final.

But following a false start, Powell made a poor start and - although he recovered well - he left himself too much to do to challenge the record.

But he still managed to win the event, with compatriot Michael Frater finishing second in 9.98sec.

His Italian victory is the latest in a series of impressive races Powell has put together in the past week since his disappointment at the Beijing Olympics when he came in fifth behind Bolt.

He managed 9.87sec in rainy conditions in Gateshead a week ago, then 9.72sec at Lausanne on Tuesday, the second fastest time ever, before a 9.83sec performance in Brussels on Friday.