KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – Asafa Powell has begged his long-suffering fans for their indulgence, after he was sidelined with injury in the middle of another disappointing season.
The former 100 metres World record-holder from Jamaica suffered hamstring and back injuries, following an IAAF Diamond League meet in Paris on July 16, where he finished second to Olympic and World champion Usain Bolt, his compatriot.
A confident Powell has asked his fans to allow him time to fully heal, and promises that he will be ready for next season.
“To all my fans who expected a complete season from me, with possibly no losses and a personal record, I am asking for your patience,” said Powell on the website of the International Association of Athletic Federations, the sport’s World governing body.
“Next year, I hope to be back, running at my best. My main aim will be to win at the World Championships, but either way, I am going to do my very best.”
Powell’s injuries forced him to miss highly-promoted, three-way clashes over 100m with Bolt and American 100 record-holder Tyson Gay late in the season.
He felt that a couple of bilateral losses to Bolt and Gay during the season may have turned-out differently had he been fully fit.
“Even though I am trying not to consider them as defeats because I wasn’t able to push myself the way I wanted, they are defeats, and the most I can do at this stage is consider what might have been, if a fully fit Asafa had stepped on the track,” he said.
Powell assured fans that races featuring Bolt, Gay, and himself, the three fastest men in history over the distance, will happen next season for sure, including at the World Championships.
Right now, he was focused working on making his cars faster, finishing construction of his house, and supporting his fiancé, Yendi Phillips, the first runner-up in this year’s Miss Universe beauty contest staged in Las Vegas.
Powell acknowledges cutting down on his social engagements because he has been hampered by his injuries, but he disclosed they are healing nicely.
“I can say for sure at this point, that my 2010 injuries are much better than when they happened,” he said.
“I am doing the treatments necessary because by next month when our training season starts, I hope to be ready to give 100 per cent of my efforts.”