Beijing, Aug 25 (IANS) Former 100 metres record holder Asafa Powell says he was “very disappointed” he was not among the top three finishers in the finals of the athletics World Championships here.
Powell finished seventh in the event as his countryman Usain Bolt stormed back from a poor start to eclipse American rival Justin Gatlin at the tape to take the top honours on Sunday, reports CMC.
Powell was never in the race and eased through the final metres when it was clear he could not win, clocking 10.00 seconds.
“I am very, very disappointed because I should have been in the top three, but I just didn’t pull it off,” the Jamaican sprinter said.
“That’s how it goes, disappointments, disappointments.”
Powell was drawn in lane eight with Gatlin to his left but he was unable to see his countryman Usain Bolt in lane five during the race.
He told reporters that his race was affected by a poor start and lack of finishing power.
“I just didn’t have the legs to finish the race. I didn’t get a good start. I just need to go back and focus on getting my start back. I lost that and just didn’t have the legs to finish,” he said.
“I’ve been having a great season and expectations were very high for me at this World Championships and I didn’t pull it off tonight. It is one more disappointment added to the disappointments before. I just need to go back to the drawing board and run the full race.”
Powell, 33, has been dubbed the sub-10 king, with a personal best of 9.72.
He has been enjoying an impressive season but his performance in the finals is the latest in the series of major championship titles which continue to elude him.
“It is one more disappointment added to the disappointments before. I just need to go back to the drawing board and run the full race,” he admitted.
“I hope I can move on from that. It has been going on for a while now, and I definitely have to move on and see if I can pull it off.”