Monday, January 29, 2007

KINGSTON, Jamaica (AFP): Jamaica's Asafa Powell, the 100m world record-holder, won his 400m heat here Saturday but finished only fourth overall in his 2007 season debut at the Grace Jackson Invitational Track Meet.

Powell, who ran in heat one of the 400m time-final event, was clocked in 47.46 seconds.

He went out fast in the first 200m and led the field into the straightaway, but struggled against the wind in the last few metres.

"It was a pretty good race," Powell said. "I went out as planned, but I did not finish as I wanted to, because when I got into the straight the wind was too strong."

In the overall results, Powell was fourth behind Chumaie Fitten's winning time of 46.60.

Trinidad and Tobago's Darrell Brown, who took 100m silver at the 2003 World Championships, finished in 50.08 in heat four ahead of 2005 world 100m runner-up Michael Frater, who was clocked in 50.40.

Sherone Simpson, the fastest woman in the world last season, topped the women's 400m field in 53.40 seconds ahead of teammates Brigitte Foster-Hylton in 54.44 and Nyoka Cole 55.01.

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