View source for Asafa Powell

{{Short description|Jamaican sprinter (born 1982)}}
{{Use Jamaican English|date=January 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2025}}
{{Infobox sportsperson
| honorific_prefix = 
| name = Asafa Powell
| honorific_suffix = [[Order of Distinction|CD]]
| image = Asafa Powell com medalha de ouro no 4 x 100 metros 1039105-19.08.2016 frz-120 (cropped).jpg
| imagesize = 200px
| caption = Asafa Powell at the [[2016 Summer Olympics|Rio 2016 Olympics]]
| nationality = [[Jamaicans|Jamaican]]
| sport = [[Track and field]]
| event = [[100 metres]], [[200 metres]]
| club = MVP Track & Field Club
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1982|11|23}}<ref name="Olympedia"/>
| birth_place = [[Spanish Town]], Jamaica
| height = 1.91 m<ref name="Olympedia"/>
| weight = 93 kg<ref name="Olympedia">{{cite web |url=https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/105482 |title=Asafa Powell |website=Olympedia.org |publisher=[[OlyMADmen]] |accessdate=10 April 2025}}</ref>
| pb = '''60&nbsp;m''': 6.44 s '''[[List of Jamaican records in athletics|NR]]''' (Portland, 2016)<br />
'''100 yd''': 9.07 s {{AthAbbr|WB}} (Ostrava, 2010)<br />
'''100&nbsp;m''': 9.72 s (Lausanne, 2008)<br />
'''200&nbsp;m''': 19.90 s (Kingston, 2006)<br />
'''400&nbsp;m''': 45.94 s (Sydney, 2009)
| medaltemplates = {{Medal|Sport|Men's [[Sport of athletics|athletics]]}}
{{Medal|Country|{{JAM}}}}
{{MedalCount
|[[Summer Olympics|Olympic Games]]|1|0|0
|[[IAAF World Championships in Athletics|World Championships]]|2|1|2
|[[IAAF World Athletics Final|World Athletics Final]]|5|1|0
|[[IAAF World Indoor Championships|World Indoor Championships]]|0|1|0
|[[Commonwealth Games]]|2|1|0

|'''Total'''|'''10'''|'''4'''|'''2'''
}}
{{MedalOlympic}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2016 Summer Olympics|2016 Rio de Janeiro]]|[[Athletics at the 2016 Summer Olympics – Men's 4 × 100 metres relay|4 × 100 m relay]]}}
{{Medal|DQ|[[2008 Summer Olympics|2008 Beijing]]|[[Athletics at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's 4 × 100 metres relay|4 × 100 m relay]]}}
{{Medal|Competition|[[IAAF World Championships in Athletics|World Championships]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2009 World Championships in Athletics|2009 Berlin]]|[[2009 World Championships in Athletics|4 × 100 m relay]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[2015 World Championships in Athletics|2015 Beijing]]|[[2015 World Championships in Athletics – Men's 4 × 100 metres relay|4 × 100&nbsp;m relay]]}}
{{Medal|Silver|[[2007 World Championships in Athletics|2007 Osaka]]|[[2007 World Championships in Athletics – Men's 4 × 100 metres relay|4 × 100 m relay]]}}
{{Medal|Bronze|2007 Osaka|[[2007 World Championships in Athletics – Men's 100 metres|100 m]]}}
{{Medal|Bronze|2009 Berlin|[[2009 World Championships in Athletics – Men's 100 metres|100 m]]}}
{{Medal|Competition|[[IAAF World Indoor Championships in Athletics|World Indoor Championships]]}}
{{Medal|Silver|[[2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships|2016 Portland]]|[[2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships – Men's 60 metres|60 m]]}}
{{Medal|Competition|[[World Athletics Final]]}}
{{Medal|Gold| [[2004 IAAF World Athletics Final|2004 Monaco]]|[[2004 IAAF World Athletics Final – Results#100 metres|100&nbsp;m]]}}
{{Medal|Gold| [[2004 IAAF World Athletics Final|2004 Monaco]]|[[2004 IAAF World Athletics Final – Results#200 metres|200&nbsp;m]]}}
{{Medal|Gold| [[2006 IAAF World Athletics Final|2006 Stuttgart]]|[[2006 IAAF World Athletics Final – Results#100 metres|100&nbsp;m]]}}
{{Medal|Gold| [[2007 IAAF World Athletics Final|2007 Stuttgart]]|[[2007 IAAF World Athletics Final – Results#100 metres|100&nbsp;m]]}}
{{Medal|Gold| [[2008 IAAF World Athletics Final|2008 Stuttgart]]|[[2008 IAAF World Athletics Final – Results#100 metres|100&nbsp;m]]}}
{{Medal|Silver| [[2009 IAAF World Athletics Final|2009 Thessaloniki]]|[[2009 IAAF World Athletics Final – Results#100 metres|100&nbsp;m]]}}
{{Medal|Competition|[[IAAF Diamond League|Diamond League]]}}
{{Medal|Winner|[[2011 IAAF Diamond League|2011]]|100 metres}}
{{Medal|Winner|[[2016 IAAF Diamond League|2016]]|100 metres}}
{{Medal|Competition|[[Commonwealth Games]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2006 Commonwealth Games|2006 Melbourne]]|[[Athletics at the 2006 Commonwealth Games - Men's 100 metres|100 m]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|2006 Melbourne|[[Athletics at the 2006 Commonwealth Games – Men's 4 x 100 metres relay|4 × 100 m relay]]}}
{{Medal|Silver|[[2002 Commonwealth Games|2002 Manchester]]|[[Athletics at the 2002 Commonwealth Games – Men's 4 × 100 metres relay|4 × 100 m relay]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Pan American Junior Athletics Championships|Pan American Junior Championships]]}}
{{MedalSilver|[[2001 Pan American Junior Athletics Championships|2001 Santa Fe]]|4 × 100 meters relay}}
}}
'''Asafa Powell''' {{small|[[Order of Distinction|CD]]}} (born 23 November 1982) is a Jamaican retired [[Sprint (running)|sprinter]] who specialised in the [[100 metres]]. He set the [[Men's 100 metres world record progression|100 metres world record]] twice, between June 2005 and May 2008 with times of 9.77 and 9.74&nbsp;seconds. Powell has consistently broken the [[10-second barrier]] in competition, with his personal best of 9.72&nbsp;s ranking [[100 metres#All-time top 25 men|fourth on the all-time list]] of men's 100-metre athletes.<ref>[http://www.iaaf.org/statistics/toplists/inout=O/age=N/season=0/sex=M/all=y/legal=A/disc=100/detail.html 100 Metres All Time] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021110006/http://www.iaaf.org/statistics/toplists/inout=o/age=n/season=0/sex=M/all=y/legal=A/disc=100/detail.html |date=21 October 2012 }}. [[IAAF]]. Retrieved on 7 June 2012.</ref> As of 1 September 2016, Powell has broken the 10-second barrier more times than anyone else—97 times. He currently holds the [[100-yard dash#Men|world record for the 100-yard dash]] with a time of 9.07 s, set on 27 May 2010 in [[Ostrava, Czech Republic]]. In 2016, he became Olympic champion in the 4 × 100 metres relay.

Powell competed in the 100&nbsp;m at the [[2004 Athens Olympics|2004]], [[2008 Beijing Olympics|2008]] and [[2012 London Olympics|2012]] Olympics, finishing fifth in 2004 and 2008 and eighth after injuring his groin during the race in 2012. At the [[2007 Osaka World Championships]], he achieved a bronze and a silver medal in the 100&nbsp;m and 4 × 100&nbsp;m relay respectively, and he was successful at the [[Commonwealth Games]], winning twice plus achieving a silver medal. At the [[2009 World Championships in Athletics|2009 World Championships]], he achieved the 100&nbsp;m bronze and became champion in the relay. Powell has won five times at the [[IAAF World Athletics Final]] and was the former 100&nbsp;m world record holder in the event.

In 2013, Powell tested positive for the stimulant [[oxilofrine]] along with teammate [[Sherone Simpson]] and voluntarily withdrew from the [[2013 World Championships in Athletics|2013 World Athletics Championships]] as a result, though both maintained they did not take any banned supplements knowingly or willfully. On 10 April 2014, they received an 18-month suspension from competing, which was set to expire in December that year. However the [[Court of Arbitration for Sport]] (CAS) lifted both athletes' suspensions on 14 July 2014, finding that the positive tests were caused by the presence of oxilofrine, undisclosed by the manufacturer, in a supplement taken by the pair.

==Biography and sprinting career==
Born in [[Spanish Town]], Jamaica, Asafa Powell is the youngest of six sons of two [[Minister (Christianity)|ministers]]. Asafa attended Ewarton Primary School and [[Charlemont High School, Jamaica|Charlemont High School]], both in [[Saint Catherine Parish|St. Catherine]], Jamaica. Powell planned to be a mechanic before he took up running while studying in [[Kingston, Jamaica]].<ref name="guardian">{{cite news|author=Michael Phillips|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/sep/10/athletics.topstories3|title=Powell listens to his coach and smashes 100 m world record|publisher=Sport.guardian.co.uk|access-date=20 November 2011|location=London|date=10 September 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070912023626/http://sport.guardian.co.uk/athletics/story/0,,2165856,00.html|archive-date=12 September 2007|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="guardian2">{{cite news|author=Alex Bilmes|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/apr/06/athletics.features4|title=Meet the fastest man ever|publisher=Sport.guardian.co.uk|access-date=20 November 2011|location=London|date=8 April 2008|archive-date=4 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080704075823/http://sport.guardian.co.uk/athletics/osm/story/0,,2270289,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> His eldest brother [[Donovan Powell|Donovan]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/TeenAge/html/20050704T200000-0500_83604_OBS_SECOND_CHANCE___THE_SUCCESS_STORY_OF_ASAFA_POWELL.asp|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081019023235/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/TeenAge/html/20050704T200000-0500_83604_OBS_SECOND_CHANCE___THE_SUCCESS_STORY_OF_ASAFA_POWELL.asp|url-status=dead|title=Second Chance – The Success Story of Asafa Powell|archivedate=19 October 2008|accessdate=18 December 2022}}</ref> was a 60&nbsp;m finalist in the [[1999 IAAF World Indoor Championships|1999 World Indoor Championships]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20050617004535/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8217773/ Asafa Powell one stylish record holder].</ref> Running runs in the family: His brothers clocked 9.5{{dubious|date=October 2011}} seconds for the 100&nbsp;yd dash, his mother 11.4 s, and his father 10.2 s.<ref name=disc1 /> Powell is a member of the MVP (Maximising Velocity and Power) Track & Field Club based at the [[University of Technology, Jamaica]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mvptrackclub.com/|title=MVP Official Web Site|publisher=Mvptrackclub.com|access-date=20 November 2011|archive-date=6 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111106051418/http://mvptrackclub.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> and has been coached by Stephen Francis since 2001.

===2000–2005: Early career===
Powell represented his school Charlemont High at the ISSA High School Championships. On 11 April he finished fourth in the Class 1 200&nbsp;m, in 23.07 with a −1.7&nbsp;m/s headwind. On 13 April, he finished third in his heat of the Boy's Class 1 100&nbsp;m, recording 11.45 with a −2.3&nbsp;m/s headwind. Neither time recorded in the heats was quick enough to advance him to the next round of competition.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cfpitiming.com/class_1_boys_results.htm |title=Preliminaries - Results - Thursday 13/04/00 |access-date=17 March 2009 |archive-date=8 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708133211/http://www.cfpitiming.com/class_1_boys_results.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Powell again represented [[Charlemont High School, Jamaica|Charlemont High]] at the [[Inter-Secondary Schools Boys and Girls Championships|ISSA High School Boy And Girls Championships]], finishing seventh in the Class 1 100&nbsp;m Final. Recognizing some talent, coach Stephen Francis started coaching Powell one week later.<ref>{{cite news|last=Patrick|first=Dick|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/athens/track/2004-08-19-mens-track_x.htm|title=Jamaican now gets kicks competing as sprinter|publisher=Usatoday.com|date=31 August 2004|access-date=4 April 2012|archive-date=27 April 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060427224452/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/athens/track/2004-08-19-mens-track_x.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The coach looked for a way to give the tall teenager a faster start. After searching the island, Stephen Francis found a 100&nbsp;m stretch of road with a 10% slope and trains his runners on that.<ref name="disc1">Yoriko Koizumi, "Miracle Body," documentary by National Film Board of Canada and NHK Japan, with information from Stephen Francis and research from Japan Institute of Sports Sciences, Waseda University, and Tsukuba University<, 2008</ref> Powell vindicated Francis by winning the Boys Under-20 100&nbsp;m event in 10.50&nbsp;seconds at the JAAA National Championships on 22 June.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cfpitiming.com/jamaica_champs_2001_day_2_male.htm|title=National Junior& Senior Athletic Championship|publisher=Cfpitiming.com|access-date=20 November 2011|archive-date=8 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708133201/http://www.cfpitiming.com/jamaica_champs_2001_day_2_male.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

At the [[2002 Commonwealth Games]] in Manchester, Powell finished fifth in the semi-finals of the 100&nbsp;m event, setting a personal best of 10.26&nbsp;s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thecgf.com/games/tally_cat_results.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020810160403/http://www.thecgf.com/games/tally_cat_results.asp|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 August 2002|title=Results for Athletics – Mens 100m|publisher=Thecgf.com|access-date=20 November 2011}}</ref> Powell, along with [[Michael Frater]], [[Dwight Thomas]] and [[Christopher Williams (sprinter)|Christopher Williams]] formed the [[Jamaica]]n 4 × 100&nbsp;m relay team that went on to win a silver medal. Powell finished just behind [[Darren Campbell]] in the last leg of the relay, with both men finishing in 38.62&nbsp;s.

Powell won the Jamaican 100 m National Championship in 2003.<ref name=natchamp1>[[National champions 100 metres (men)#Jamaica|National Champions 100 m]]</ref>

Powell came to attention within the world of athletics at the [[2003 World Championships in Athletics|2003 World Championships]], when he suffered the ignominy of being 'the other athlete' disqualified for a [[false start]] in the quarter-final. This was when [[Jon Drummond]] memorably refused to leave the track having suffered the same fate, both athletes moved less than 0.1&nbsp;s after the gun had fired, with Powell's reactions being timed at 0.086&nbsp;s.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/world_athletics_2003/3177243.stm|work=BBC News|title=World Championships day two|date=24 August 2003|access-date=25 April 2010|archive-date=6 December 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031206071705/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/world_athletics_2003/3177243.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.trackandfieldnews.com/general/features/2003/drummond_reaction_graph_field.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014054040/http://www.trackandfieldnews.com/general/features/2003/drummond_reaction_graph_field.html|url-status=dead|title=2003 WC Pressure Plate Readout|archivedate=14 October 2007|accessdate=18 December 2022}}</ref> Six days later Powell was added to the 4 × 100 m relay team for the semi-final, running as the [[relay race|anchor]]. He helped the team qualify for the final, recording the second fastest time. Powell never had a chance to run for a medal in the final as the second baton exchange was not executed cleanly and the Jamaican team failed to finish.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iaaf.org/history/WCH/season=2003/eventCode=2962/results/bydiscipline/disctype=4/sex=M/discCode=4X1/combCode=hash/roundCode=f/results.html#det |title=4x100 Metres Relay – M Final |publisher=Iaaf.org |date=31 August 2003 |access-date=20 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090921014800/http://www.iaaf.org/history/wch/season%3D2003/eventcode%3D2962/results/bydiscipline/disctype%3D4/sex%3DM/discCode%3D4X1/combCode%3Dhash/roundCode%3Df/results.html |archive-date=21 September 2009 }}</ref> During the 2003 season, Powell won two [[IAAF Grand Prix]] events, one of which was an [[AF Golden League]] event. He finished seventh in 10.23 s in the 100 m at the IAAF World Athletics Final.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iaaf.org/history/waf/season=2003/eventcode=2963/results/racedate=09-13-2003/sex=M/discCode=100/combCode=hash/roundCode=f/results.html#detM_100_hash_f|title=History|publisher=iaaf.org|date=13 September 2003|access-date=4 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120822081534/http://www.iaaf.org/history/waf/season=2003/eventcode=2963/results/racedate=09-13-2003/sex=M/discCode=100/combCode=hash/roundCode=f/results.html#detM_100_hash_f|archive-date=22 August 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2004 on 12 June, Powell recorded his first sub-10 100&nbsp;m race time (9.99&nbsp;s +1.8&nbsp;[[Metre per second|m/s]]) while participating in the National Junior Track and Field Championships, held at the GC Foster College in Spanish Town.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20040613/sports/sports2.html|title=Asafa Powell clocks 9.99|publisher=Jamaica-gleaner.com|date=13 June 2004|access-date=20 November 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523231011/http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20040613/sports/sports2.html|archive-date=23 May 2012}}</ref> Two weeks later Powell became one of the favourites for a medal in the 100&nbsp;m at the [[2004 Summer Olympics|2004 Athens Olympics]] after winning the Jamaican National Championships with a personal best time of 9.91&nbsp;s. Although he ended the season with a record-equaling nine sub-10 second runs, Powell finished just fifth in the highly competitive Olympic final, with a time of 9.94&nbsp;s. Following this he pulled out of the 200&nbsp;m final, even though he had already qualified eighth for it earlier on.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iaaf.org/history/OLY/season=2004/eventCode=3201/results/bydiscipline/disctype=4/sex=M/discCode=200/combCode=hash/roundCode=sf/results.html#det |title=Olympic Games 2004 – Results 200 Metres M Semi-Final |publisher=iaaf.org |date=25 August 2004 |access-date=4 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090513053928/http://www.iaaf.org/history/OLY/season%3D2004/eventCode%3D3201/results/bydiscipline/disctype%3D4/sex%3DM/discCode%3D200/combCode%3Dhash/roundCode%3Dsf/results.html |archive-date=13 May 2009 }}</ref> Powell did not get the chance to run for a medal in the 4 × 100 m relay, as the Jamaican team failed to qualify for the final with a season best 38.71 s fourth-place finish in their heat.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iaaf.org/history/OLY/season=2004/eventCode=3201/results/bydiscipline/disctype=4/sex=M/discCode=4X1/combCode=hash/roundCode=h/results.html#det |title=4x100 m heat results Athens Olympics |publisher=Iaaf.org |date=27 August 2004 |access-date=20 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090515205327/http://www.iaaf.org/history/OLY/season%3D2004/eventCode%3D3201/results/bydiscipline/disctype%3D4/sex%3DM/discCode%3D4X1/combCode%3Dhash/roundCode%3Dh/results.html |archive-date=15 May 2009 }}</ref> Following his Olympic disappointment Powell set a new national record of 9.87 s for the 100 m at the [[Memorial Van Damme]] in [[Brussels|Bruxelles]] on 3 September.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iaaf.org/history/GLE/season=2004/results/eventCode=3193/sex=M/discCode=100/result.html |title=2004 Memorial Van Damme results, 100 m |publisher=Iaaf.org |date=3 September 2004 |access-date=20 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022040534/http://www.iaaf.org/history/GLE/season%3D2004/results/eventCode%3D3193/sex%3DM/discCode%3D100/result.html |archive-date=22 October 2012 }}</ref> He recorded five IAAF Grand Prix wins in 2004. In addition, he became the first man to win both the 100&nbsp;m and 200&nbsp;m races at the [[World Athletics Final]] in championship record time. Powell was world ranked number one for the 100 m and number four for the 200 m at the end of the season.<ref name=topten1>{{cite web|url=http://www.talawah.com/TOPTEN.HTM|title=Jamaican Men – The World Top Ten|publisher=Talawah.com|date=18 May 2011|access-date=20 November 2011|archive-date=2 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002234239/http://www.talawah.com/TOPTEN.HTM|url-status=live}}</ref>

A year later Powell set a new national record of 9.84 s at the Jamaica International Invitational in May.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mail-archive.com/t-and-f@lists.uoregon.edu/msg22720.html|title=Powell's 9.84 stuns and Bolt's 20.14 s delights in Kingston|publisher=Mail-archive.com|date=8 May 2005|access-date=20 November 2011|archive-date=5 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205190603/http://www.mail-archive.com/t-and-f@lists.uoregon.edu/msg22720.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He gained some consolation for his Olympic performance by breaking the 100&nbsp;m [[World records in athletics|world record]] in [[Athens]] on 14 June 2005, setting a time of 9.77&nbsp;s, beating American [[Tim Montgomery]]'s 2002 record of 9.78&nbsp;s (which was later annulled due to doping charges against Montgomery) by just 0.01&nbsp;s. Coincidentally, Powell achieved the feat on the same track as [[Maurice Greene (athlete)|Maurice Greene]]'s 1999 world record run of 9.79&nbsp;s. [[Wind assistance]] for Powell was measured at 1.6&nbsp;m/s, within the [[IAAF]] legal limit of 2.0&nbsp;m/s. Powell again won the 100&nbsp;m final at the Jamaican National Championships. A groin injury in July cut short his season and forced him to miss the World Championships. His season ended with just two IAAF Grand Prix event wins. Despite his shortened season, Powell had the three fastest 100&nbsp;m times of the year, received the Caribbean And Central American (CAC) Male Athlete of the Year award,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/Kind=2/newsId=32376.html |title=Powell, Menéndez CAC Athletes of the Year |publisher=Iaaf.org |date=21 October 2005 |access-date=20 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090513044049/http://www.iaaf.org/news/Kind%3D2/newsId%3D32376.html |archive-date=13 May 2009 }}</ref> and ranked second in the world.<ref name=topten1/>

===2006–2007: Worldwide success===
2006 was Powell's most successful season. He won the [[Athletics at the 2006 Commonwealth Games - Men's 100 metres|2006 Commonwealth Games 100 metres]] race after a drama-filled semi-final which saw two disqualifications and three false starts. Powell himself ran into another competitor's lane while looking at the scoreboard; however, he was held not to have impeded the runner. He also anchored the 4 × 100&nbsp;m relay team, and finished the Commonwealth Games with two gold medals. In May, he won the 100 m at the Jamaica International Invitational in 9.95 s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jaaaltd.com/Results_JII_May06.htm|title=Results, 2007 Jamaica International Invitational|publisher=Jaaaltd.com|access-date=20 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090608134607/http://www.jaaaltd.com/Results_JII_May06.htm|archive-date=8 June 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> In addition to winning the 200&nbsp;m at the Jamaican National Championships in June, he won ten 100&nbsp;m IAAF Grand Prix events, including all six Golden League events.

Powell then equalled his world record time on 11 June 2006 at [[Gateshead International Stadium]] with wind assistance measured at +1.5&nbsp;m/s. The exact time was 9.7629 s,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/news/sun-shines-on-powells-world-record-equalling|title=Sun shines on Powell's World record-equalling 9.77 in Gateshead|publisher=Iaaf.org|date=11 June 2006|access-date=20 November 2011|archive-date=8 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108133552/http://www.iaaf.org/news/news/sun-shines-on-powells-world-record-equalling|url-status=live}}</ref> which was rounded up to 9.77 s as per IAAF rules. On 18 August 2006 in [[Weltklasse Zürich|Zürich]], Powell equalled it again for the second time with wind assistance at +1.0&nbsp;m/s. He won his sixth [[IAAF Golden League]] event (for the 100&nbsp;m) in the same season, thus earning him a total of $250,000 in prize money. Powell also won the 100&nbsp;m at the World Athletics Final, again setting a new championship record on 9 September. One week later at the [[World Cup in Athletics]], the Americas team anchored by Powell recorded a DNF.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iaaf.org/history/WCP/season=2006/eventCode=3490/results/bydiscipline/disctype=4/sex=M/discCode=4X1/combCode=hash/roundCode=f/results.html#det |title=World Cup in Athletics 2006 – Results 4x100 Metres Relay M Final |publisher=iaaf.org |date=16 September 2006 |access-date=4 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090512061759/http://www.iaaf.org/history/WCP/season%3D2006/eventCode%3D3490/results/bydiscipline/disctype%3D4/sex%3DM/discCode%3D4X1/combCode%3Dhash/roundCode%3Df/results.html |archive-date=12 May 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iaaf.org/history/WCP/season=2006/eventCode=3490/news/kind=108/newsid=36276.html |title=World Cup 4 x 100 m report |publisher=Iaaf.org |date=16 September 2006 |access-date=20 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090513042844/http://www.iaaf.org/history/WCP/season%3D2006/eventCode%3D3490/news/kind%3D108/newsid%3D36276.html |archive-date=13 May 2009 }}</ref> In October, Powell again received the [[Caribbean]] And Central American (CAC) Male Athlete of the Year award.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/Kind=2/newsId=36651.html |title=Powell and Simpson, the best CAC athletes of the year |publisher=Iaaf.org |date=29 October 2006 |access-date=20 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061129041958/http://www.iaaf.org/news/Kind%3D2/newsId%3D36651.html |archive-date=29 November 2006 }}</ref> On 12 November 2006, he was awarded the title of 2006 Male [[IAAF World Athlete of the Year]] along with a cheque for $100,000. He also received the honour of [[Track & Field Athlete of the Year]] for 2006.

On 5 January 2007, Powell received the Commonwealth Games Sports Foundation Athlete of the Year award.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sprintic.com/news/315/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716122910/http://www.sprintic.com/news/315/|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 July 2011|title=News &#124; Asafa collects Commonwealth Games award|publisher=Sprintic.com|access-date=20 November 2011}}</ref> On 3 February he was honoured at the International Sports Group (ISG) Awards Banquet, held in New York.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20070112/sports/sports1.html|title=Jamaica Gleaner News – Asafa Powell to be honoured in NY – Friday &#124; January 12, 2007|publisher=Jamaica-gleaner.com|date=12 January 2007|access-date=20 November 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120527191204/http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20070112/sports/sports1.html|archive-date=27 May 2012}}</ref> In addition, Powell was nominated for the [[Laureus World Sports Awards]] Sportsman of the Year award.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laureus.com/nominees?year=2007|title=Laurnes award nominees|publisher=Laureus.com|access-date=20 November 2011|archive-date=30 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930063049/http://www.laureus.com/nominees?year=2007|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laureus.com/nominees?id=816|title=Nominee 2007 – Laureus World Sportsman of the Year|publisher=Laureus.com|date=23 November 1982|access-date=20 November 2011|archive-date=30 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930063117/http://www.laureus.com/nominees?id=816|url-status=live}}</ref> Suffering from knee [[Tendinitis]] and missing weeks of training Powell missed competing at the [[Penn Relays]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/3/3_12/asafa-powell-out-with-kne.shtml |title=Asafa Powell out with knee tendinitis |publisher=Coolrunning.com |date=3 May 2007 |access-date=20 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927001305/http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/3/3_12/asafa-powell-out-with-kne.shtml |archive-date=27 September 2011 }}</ref> and the Jamaica International Invitational in May.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=trackandfield&id=2862295|title=Asafa Powell, out with knee tendinitis, could return by 10 June|publisher=ESPN|date=6 May 2007|access-date=20 November 2011|archive-date=2 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102062453/http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=trackandfield&id=2862295|url-status=live}}</ref> Powell was again the Jamaican National Champion for the 100&nbsp;m. Unfortunately, Powell again injured his groin while running the final at the Jamaica Championships.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/Kind=2/newsId=39306.html |title=Asafa Powell's injury status – 'hopeful' |publisher=Iaaf.org |date=28 June 2007 |access-date=20 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090513051727/http://www.iaaf.org/news/Kind%3D2/newsId%3D39306.html |archive-date=13 May 2009 }}</ref> He only managed to finish third in the 100&nbsp;m final at the [[2007 World Championships in Athletics|2007 World Championships]] in [[Osaka]], Japan, behind [[Tyson Gay]], who was considered Powell's biggest rival building up to the Championships. [[Derrick Atkins]], Powell's second cousin,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/athletes/newsid=46569.html|title=IAAF Athlete Profile|publisher=Iaaf.org|access-date=20 November 2011|archive-date=23 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023024650/http://iaaf.org/news/athletes/newsid=46569.html|url-status=live}}</ref> came second in 9.91&nbsp;s. Powell himself finished in a time of 9.96&nbsp;s (running in a 0.5&nbsp;m/s headwind) after being passed by Gay and [[Derrick Atkins]] in the late stages of the race. Later, Powell admitted that he panicked and gave up after seeing Gay pass him, allowing Atkins also to overtake.
{{quotation|When Tyson came on and gave me a little bit of pressure I just panicked. When I saw I wasn't in gold medal contention, I gave up in the middle of the race. I just stopped running.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/6965480.stm|work=BBC News|title=Powell admits to conceding silver|date=27 August 2007|access-date=25 April 2010|archive-date=3 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240503065120/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/6965480.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
American former sprinter [[Michael Johnson (athlete)|Michael Johnson]] was critical of Powell's performance, stating: {{quotation|You could see him thinking, I'm losing it, I'm losing it, and he just gave up at that point. That's what was really disappointing. He just dropped his head.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/6964721.stm|work=BBC News|title=Michael Johnson column|date=26 August 2007|access-date=25 April 2010|archive-date=20 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120111236/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/6964721.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

However, Powell did help to win the silver medal in the 4 × 100 m relay race. Running the anchor leg for the Jamaican team, he came from fifth and passed Great Britain at the line to help record a Jamaican national record of 37.89&nbsp;s. The United States meanwhile took gold.

[[File:Osaka07 D1M M100M Heat Astafa Powell.jpg|thumb|240px|Powell leading a heat at the 2007 World Championships in Osaka, Japan.]]
On 9 September 2007, in the opening heats of the IAAF Grand Prix in [[Rieti]], [[Italy]], Powell ran a new world record time of 9.74&nbsp;s (+1.7&nbsp;m/s) in the 100&nbsp;m, thus fulfilling the promise he had made earlier after his bronze medal in [[Osaka]], that he would break the record by the end of the year. This was intended to make up for the disappointment of not becoming World Champion.<ref>[http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/more/09/09/100.record.ap/index.html Sports Illustrated News Article]. Retrieved 9 September 2007. {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Remarkably, Powell eased up in the final few metres of his record-setting run, indicating that he was saving his strength for the final.<ref>[http://www.iaaf.org/GP07/news/kind=2/newsid=41561.html#asafa+powell+breaks+world+100m+record+secs+rieti+iaaf+athletics+tour Asafa Powell Breaks World 100 m Record] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080124053529/http://www.iaaf.org/GP07/news/kind%3D2/newsid%3D41561.html |date=24 January 2008 }}</ref> In the final itself, Powell finished in 9.78&nbsp;s (0&nbsp;m/s windspeed) and bettered his semi-final time when adjusted for wind assistance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://myweb.lmu.edu/jmureika/track/wind/index.html|title=Wind / Altitude correction in the 100 m sprint|publisher=Myweb.lmu.edu|date=14 September 2009|access-date=20 November 2011|archive-date=27 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927081053/http://myweb.lmu.edu/jmureika/track/wind/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Powell ended his season on 30 September with a left hamstring injury, which came about while running in the lead of the 200&nbsp;m race at the Super Track & Field meet in Yokohama, Japan.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2007/SPORT/09/30/athletics.powell/index.html|title=Powell suffers a hamstring injury|publisher=CNN|date=30 September 2007|access-date=20 November 2011|archive-date=15 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015135240/http://edition.cnn.com/2007/SPORT/09/30/athletics.powell/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Powell finished 2007 with a total of five IAAF Grand Prix event wins, plus his second consecutive World Athletic Final 100&nbsp;m win, with yet another championship record. For the third consecutive year Powell won the Caribbean And Central American (CAC) Male Athlete of the Year award.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.beijing2008.cn/news/sports/headlines/athletics/n214220712.shtml|title=Powell and Savigne, best CAC athletes of the Year|publisher=En.beijing2008.cn|access-date=20 November 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524091054/http://en.beijing2008.cn/news/sports/headlines/athletics/n214220712.shtml|archive-date=24 May 2011}}</ref> Powell closed the year receiving the IAAF Performance of the Year award, for his 9.74&nbsp;s world record,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rawstory.com/news/afp/Athletics_stars_Gay_and_Defar_take__11252007.html |title= The Raw Story &#124; Athletics stars Gay and Defar take top IAAF awards|website=rawstory.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081116185746/http://rawstory.com/news/afp/Athletics_stars_Gay_and_Defar_take__11252007.html |archive-date=16 November 2008}}</ref> and was ranked second in the world.<ref name=topten1/>

===2008–2009: Olympics and World Championships===
On 29 January 2008, Powell received the RJR Sports Foundation's 2007 Sportsman of the Year award.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20080130/lead/lead8.html|title=RJR Sports Foundation's 2007 Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year|publisher=Jamaica-gleaner.com|date=30 January 2008|access-date=20 November 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523230845/http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20080130/lead/lead8.html|archive-date=23 May 2012}}</ref> Powell's 2008 season started much as his 2007 season ended: with another injury. Powell was forced to pull out of the Sydney Grand Prix meeting, having suffered a gash to his left knee that required four stitches. The injury was a result of tripping on the steps of his home, hours before getting on the flight to Sydney on 12 February.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sprintic.com/news/640/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716122852/http://www.sprintic.com/news/640/|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 July 2011|title=Powell says injured knee not serious|publisher=Sprintic.com|access-date=20 November 2011}}</ref>

Powell was again injured in April, this time with damage to his pectoral muscles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/kind=100/newsid=44625.html |title=Injury to sideline Powell until late June |publisher=Iaaf.org |date=29 April 2008 |access-date=20 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080611093028/http://iaaf.org/news/kind%3D100/newsid%3D44625.html |archive-date=11 June 2008 }}</ref> The injury forced Powell out of competition for two months, and was sustained while weight training in [[Jamaica]] during mid-April. Surgery was required, and a visible scar was left on his right underarm.

On 31 May, fellow Jamaican [[Usain Bolt]] ran a time of 9.72&nbsp;s at the Reebok Grand Prix in [[New York City|New York]], breaking Powell's 3-year dominance of the 100&nbsp;m world record.

On 11 July, Powell suffered his third injury of 2008 while leading in Heat 1 of the Golden Gala Roma, eventually finishing fifth.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iaaf.org/gle08/results/eventcode=3926/sex=M/disccode=100/combcode=hash/roundcode=f/index.html#det |title=Golden Gala Roma |publisher=Iaaf.org |date=10 July 2013 |access-date=15 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090704123136/http://www.iaaf.org/gle08/results/eventcode=3926/sex=M/disccode=100/combcode=hash/roundcode=f/index.html#det |archive-date=4 July 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> He had injured his groin (described as a "strain"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsinjurybulletin.com/athletes/asafa-powell-injury|title=Asafa Powell will compete in Beijing despite groin injury|publisher=Sportsinjurybulletin.com|date=17 September 2011|access-date=20 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928221831/http://www.sportsinjurybulletin.com/athletes/asafa-powell-injury|archive-date=28 September 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> and a "cramp"), and was forced to miss the next two events on the Grand Prix schedule.<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/7502906.stm Powell preparations hit by injury]  [[BBC Sport]] (11 July 2008). Retrieved on 5 March 2009.</ref> Powell made his comeback at the DN Galan meet, where he beat the new World Record holder Bolt, in a close race. The meet's top performers were a Jamaican 1–2–3–4 with [[Nesta Carter]] and Michael Frater following the pair.<ref>Turner, Chris (22 July 2008). [http://www.iaaf.org/GP08/news/kind=100/newsid=46272.html Powell dips to beat Bolt; Defar just short of 5000m World record – IAAF World Athletics Tour, Stockholm]. [[IAAF]]. Retrieved on 5 March 2009. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828032212/http://www.iaaf.org/GP08/news/kind%3D100/newsid%3D46272.html |date=28 August 2008 }}</ref> This top four would later combine to run the 4 × 100&nbsp;m relay at the Olympics.

Prior to the [[2008 Summer Olympics|2008 Olympics]] in [[Beijing]], Powell hit back at the claims saying he lacked the mental strength needed to win an Olympic gold medal.
{{quotation|It [the Olympics] doesn't scare me. The guys that I'm running against in Beijing are the same ones I run against all year, it's no different at the Olympics – it's just a name, and you should put that aside until you cross the line.

If all you guys look back and check from before, you'll see that Athens was my first Olympics, I ran my personal best in the final – so I'm not sure why people say I don't run my best in finals.

The World Championships was the only final where I didn't do as expected. I made a once-in-a-lifetime mistake and it won't happen again.

I'm running against myself – I'm the only one who can defeat myself and I don't intend to.<ref>Fordyce, Tom (24 July 2008). [https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/athletics/7523910.stm I can win Olympic gold – Powell] . [[BBC Sport]]. Retrieved on 5 March 2009.</ref>}}

Despite his words, the [[Athletics at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's 100 metres|100&nbsp;m final]] saw Powell again finish in a disappointing fifth, recording a time of 9.95&nbsp;s. Teammates Bolt and [[Michael Frater]] also raced in the final. Bolt won and broke the record he set months earlier (finishing in 9.69&nbsp;s) and Frater came sixth, recording his first sub-10 clocking at 9.97&nbsp;s.

Seven days later, Powell finally got his first Olympic medal as he anchored the Jamaican 4 × 100 m relay team to victory, helping establish a new world record in the process. His split time was recorded at 8.70&nbsp;s (USATF High Performance Registered Split Analysis), bettering his previous record of 8.84&nbsp;s set in Osaka, 2007. This is the fastest electronically timed anchor run in history, as [[Bob Hayes]] was hand timed as running between 8.6 and 8.9&nbsp;seconds in the [[1964 Summer Olympics|1964 Olympics]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://speedendurance.com/2008/10/10/asafa-powell-or-bob-hayes-worlds-fastest-100-meters/|title=Asafa Powell or Bob Hayes – World's Fastest 100 meters?|publisher=Speedendurance.com|date=10 October 2008|access-date=20 November 2011|archive-date=25 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101225161247/http://speedendurance.com/2008/10/10/asafa-powell-or-bob-hayes-worlds-fastest-100-meters/|url-status=live}}</ref> The gold medal was later vacated by the IOC in 2017 when a retest of teammate Nesta Carter found the presence of the prohibited substance methylhexaneamine.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/usain-bolt-loses-gold-medal-after-relay-teammate-found-guilty-of-doping-145852018.html|title=Usain Bolt loses gold medal after relay teammate found guilty of doping|date=25 January 2017|access-date=24 August 2017|archive-date=12 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312035246/https://sports.yahoo.com/news/usain-bolt-loses-gold-medal-after-relay-teammate-found-guilty-of-doping-145852018.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 2 September 2008, Powell ran a new personal best of 9.72&nbsp;s in the 100&nbsp;m with windspeed measured at +0.2&nbsp;m/s. He accomplished this feat at the [[Athletissima]] Grand Prix in [[Lausanne]], [[Switzerland]]. After the run, he said that Bolt's record performance at the Olympics had inspired him to target a time of 9.59&nbsp;s:
{{quotation|Two years ago, I said to myself I could go 9.65 s or faster, but based on how Bolt is running, it's my aim now to go below 9.60 s. Bolt can obviously run very fast, but I'm not going to put him out of my reach. I'd say in the Olympic 100&nbsp;m, it looked like Bolt could have run 9.63 s, 9.65 s maybe. I was shocked to see what he did in the race; it was ridiculous.

I can't imagine the times he's capable of running at the moment. He's the man to beat right now but before it was me and if I can break another world record then I'll be the one back in the spotlight.<ref name="news.bbc.co.uk">[https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/7594861.stm Powell clocks second fastest 100m] . [[BBC Sport]] (2 September 2008). Retrieved on 5 March 2009.</ref>}}

Powell was optimistic about his future chances on the track, and philosophical as to why he could not peak in past major championships:
{{quotation|The 2012 London Games will be my last opportunity and Beijing was certainly my best chance but you never give up.

I've got no idea why I'm always winning on the circuit but then finishing fifth at the Olympics. Maybe if it was just a one-off race without the qualifying rounds I would have done better.

Who knows? Maybe I'm not the guy for those big championships but just the guy to compete in the Grand Prix and Golden League meetings. It's just unfortunate.<ref name="news.bbc.co.uk"/>}}

Following his fifth-place finish in Beijing on 16 August, Powell recorded seven consecutive 100&nbsp;m races under 9.90&nbsp;s, including two races under 9.80&nbsp;s. In addition, 2008 was Powell's second-best season on the Grand Prix circuit, claiming seven victories, plus his third consecutive win (and fourth overall) in the 100&nbsp;m at the World Athletics Final.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iaaf.org/waf08/results/eventCode=3741/racedate=09-13-2008/sex=M/discCode=100/combCode=hash/roundCode=f/results.html#detM_100_hash_f|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081016101921/http://www.iaaf.org/waf08/results/eventCode%3D3741/racedate%3D09-13-2008/sex%3DM/discCode%3D100/combCode%3Dhash/roundCode%3Df/results.html|url-status=dead|title=iaaf.org – World Athletics Final 2008 Results|archivedate=16 October 2008|accessdate=18 December 2022}}</ref>

On his return to Jamaica, Powell was honoured in a homecoming celebration and received an [[Order of Distinction]] (Commander Rank) in recognition
of his achievements at the Olympics.<ref>{{cite web|title=Welcoming home our Olympians |work=[[Jamaica Gleaner]] |date=5 October 2008 |url=http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20081005/lead/lead2.html |access-date=20 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081008234354/http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20081005/lead/lead2.html |archive-date=8 October 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> For the second consecutive year Powell ranked second in the world.<ref name=topten1/>

Powell opened his 2009 season on 31 January at the Grace Jackson Invitational, held at Stadium East, Kingston, Jamaica. He ran the [[400 metres]], winning his heat in 47.75&nbsp;s, placing him second overall in the four heat time-final.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jp7qixXe7PzxuGTcApOZAyGc2c7A|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120905070352/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jp7qixXe7PzxuGTcApOZAyGc2c7A|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 September 2012|title=Powell wins 400m heat in season-opening race|date=31 January 2009|access-date=20 November 2011}}</ref>

Powell ran the anchor leg for two relay teams at the Milo Western Relays held at the GC Foster College on 14 February. In his first race, his MVP team recorded a new meet record and world leading time of 38.72&nbsp;s for the 4 × 100&nbsp;m relay.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20090215/sports/sports4.html|title=World-leading 38.72 for MVP at Western Relays|publisher=Jamaica-gleaner.com|date=15 February 2009|access-date=20 November 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523231017/http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20090215/sports/sports4.html|archive-date=23 May 2012}}</ref> Later, he was timed at 46.27 s for his leg of the [[4 × 400 metres relay]], again winning the race for his MVP team.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sports/html/20090214T230000-0500_146247_OBS_POWELL__MVP_SHINE_AT_MILO_WESTERN_RELAYS_.asp|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218121551/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sports/html/20090214T230000-0500_146247_OBS_POWELL__MVP_SHINE_AT_MILO_WESTERN_RELAYS_.asp|url-status=dead|title=Powell, MVP shine at Milo Western Relays|archivedate=18 February 2009|accessdate=18 December 2022}}</ref>

Powell next competed at the Sydney Track Classic in [[Australia]] on 28 February, again running the anchor leg in the 4 x 100&nbsp;m relay and winning it in a new world leading time of 38.62&nbsp;s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nswathletics.org.au/answ/live_stc/090228F007.htm|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20091027094720/http://www.nswathletics.org.au/answ/live_stc/090228F007.htm|url-status=dead|title=Sydney Track Classic - 28/02/2009 - Men 4x100 metre Relay|archivedate=27 October 2009|website=www.nswathletics.org.au|accessdate=18 December 2022}}</ref> Two hours later, he ran a 400&nbsp;m race, finishing 4th in a new personal best 45.94&nbsp;s and shaving 1.23&nbsp;s off his previous best time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nswathletics.org.au/answ/live_stc/090228F024.htm|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20090304161631/http://www.nswathletics.org.au/answ/live_stc/090228F024.htm|url-status=dead|title=Sydney Track Classic - 28/02/2009 - Men 400 metre|archivedate=4 March 2009|website=www.nswathletics.org.au|accessdate=18 December 2022}}</ref>

[[File:Asafa Powell 4x100 m final Berlin 2009.JPG|thumb|Powell anchoring the Jamaican relay team to a World Championship gold medal]]

After the 400&nbsp;m race, Powell said:
{{quotation|My coach said cruise for the first 200&nbsp;m and bring it home. This tells me I'm a lot stronger this year and it will be a different ball game. I'm just motivated, the 400&nbsp;m didn't hurt as much as I thought it would. I'm OK. I don't need the ambulance.}}

Five days later, Powell ran his first 100&nbsp;m race of the season. Competing at the Melbourne Track Classic he ran a world leading<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iaaf.org/statistics/toplists/inout=O/age=N/season=2009/sex=M/all=n/legal=A/disc=100/detail.html|title=IAAF 100 m outdoor top list|publisher=Iaaf.org|access-date=20 November 2011|archive-date=20 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120033254/http://www.iaaf.org/statistics/toplists/inout=o/age=n/season=2009/sex=M/all=n/legal=A/disc=100/detail.html|url-status=live}}</ref> 10.23&nbsp;s, wind measuring −1.4&nbsp;m/s on the coldest day of the year to date.<ref>{{cite web|last=Salvado|first=John|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25145756-23210,00.html|title=Asafa Powell and Sally McLellan win in World Athletics meet in Melbourne|publisher=Foxsports.com.au|date=5 March 2009|access-date=20 November 2011|archive-date=3 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240503064912/https://www.foxsports.com.au/wp-content/js/mobile-useragent-info.js|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 16 April, Powell was nominated for the Laureus World Team of the Year award, as a member of the 2008 Jamaica Olympic Sprint Team.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laureus.com/awards/2009/nominees|title=2009 Laurens nominees|publisher=Laureus.com|access-date=20 November 2011|archive-date=11 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511224109/http://www.laureus.com/awards/2009/nominees|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laureus.com/nominees?id=1590|title=Nominee 2009 – Laureus World Team of the Year|publisher=Laureus.com|access-date=20 November 2011|archive-date=30 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930063349/http://www.laureus.com/nominees?id=1590|url-status=live}}</ref>

Powell then found himself involved in controversy when he was a last-minute "no show" at the UTech Track and Field Classic on 18 April.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20090418/sports/sports1.html|title=Classic battles for UTech meet|publisher=Jamaica-gleaner.com|date=18 April 2009|access-date=20 November 2011|archive-date=1 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001235924/http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20090418/sports/sports1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He had previously been advertised to run the 200 m and 4 × 100 m relay races. Powell attended as a spectator. A press conference called three days later by the MVP Track Club did not fully answer questions as to why Powell did not compete.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sports/html/20090421T230000-0500_149927_OBS_NO_SHOW_PUZZLE.asp|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090422230159/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sports/html/20090421T230000-0500_149927_OBS_NO_SHOW_PUZZLE.asp|url-status=dead|title=NO-SHOW PUZZLE Asafa's absence still dubious after press conference|archivedate=22 April 2009|accessdate=18 December 2022}}</ref> The matter was reported to the Jamaica Fair Trading Commission which started investigations on 23 April.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20090424/sports/sports3.html|title=FTC probes UTech Classic|publisher=Jamaica-gleaner.com|date=24 April 2009|access-date=20 November 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120527191724/http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20090424/sports/sports3.html|archive-date=27 May 2012}}</ref>

Powell was next to run at the [[Penn Relays]] on 25 April, but on the morning of the event, the [[Jamaica Observer]] reported that he had withdrawn from the 4 × 100 m relay. His manager Paul Doyle stated that Powell would not run due to concerns with his ankle while running the curve on the [[Franklin Field]] track. The Jamaica Observer cited a "highly placed source" when reporting that Powell had turned his ankle in training at Utech.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sports/html/20090424T220000-0500_150099_OBS_ASAFA_DROPS_OUT_.asp|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090428135911/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sports/html/20090424T220000-0500_150099_OBS_ASAFA_DROPS_OUT_.asp|url-status=dead|title=Asafa drops out! 'Injured' sprinter shuns relay, could run 100m at Penns today|archivedate=28 April 2009|accessdate=18 December 2022}}</ref> Despite the report, Powell ran the anchor leg of the relay but aggravated the ankle injury,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sports/html/20090425T200000-0500_150193_OBS_ASAFA_HOBBLES_AT____TH_PENN_RELAYS_.asp|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090429133836/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sports/html/20090425T200000-0500_150193_OBS_ASAFA_HOBBLES_AT____TH_PENN_RELAYS_.asp|url-status=dead|title=Asafa hobbles at 115th Penn Relays|archivedate=29 April 2009|accessdate=18 December 2022}}</ref> pulled up and finished ninth in 41.24 s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pennrelaysonline.com/results.aspx?en=249|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090427140904/http://pennrelaysonline.com/results.aspx?en=249|url-status=dead|title=2009 Penn Relays Results Men 4x100|archivedate=27 April 2009|accessdate=18 December 2022}}</ref>

Scheduled to run at the IAAF Super Grand Prix in [[Doha]] on 8 May, Powell withdrew from the event, citing the need for sufficient time for his injured ankle to properly heal.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12993_5267638,00.html|title=Powell sidelined|publisher=Skysports.com|date=2 May 2009|access-date=20 November 2011|archive-date=22 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120122124839/http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12993_5267638,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He finished seventh in his first event returning from injury, the [[Reebok Grand Prix]] held in New York at [[Icahn Stadium]] on 30 May.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reebokgrandprix.com/events-results/mens-100m-race-1/ |title=100 m results 2009 Reebok Grand Prix |publisher=Reebokgrandprix.com |access-date=20 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100109114035/http://www.reebokgrandprix.com/events-results/mens-100m-race-1/ |archive-date=9 January 2010 }}</ref> When interviewed he stated that his ankle was very weak but not painful.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flotrack.org/videos/coverage/view_video/235019-2009-reebok-grand-prix/183082-asafa-powell-post-race-2009-reebok-grand-prix|title=Asafa Powell Post Race- 2009 Reebok Grand Prix|publisher=Flotrack.org|date=30 May 2009|access-date=4 April 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100117024554/http://www.flotrack.org/videos/coverage/view_video/235019-2009-reebok-grand-prix/183082-asafa-powell-post-race-2009-reebok-grand-prix|archive-date=17 January 2010}}</ref> He finished second in his next event, the [[Prefontaine Classic]] eight days later.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.runnerspace.com/eprofile.php?event_id=120|title=Eugene Diamond League - Nike Prefontaine Classic - Results/History - 2009 Results|website=www.runnerspace.com|accessdate=18 December 2022|archive-date=18 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218121837/https://www.runnerspace.com/eprofile.php?event_id=120|url-status=live}}</ref> On 27 June, he qualified for the 100&nbsp;m at the [[2009 World Championships in Athletics]] with a second-place finish in 9.97 s at the Jamaican national championships.<ref>[http://www.iaaf.org/WCH09/news/kind=100/newsid=51359.html IAAF report, Day 2 Jamaican Championships]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629125401/http://www.iaaf.org/WCH09/news/kind%3D100/newsid%3D51359.html |date=29 June 2009 }}</ref> At the [[Bislett Games]] on 3 July, Powell overcame a poor start to win the 100 m in a 10.07 s photo finish.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iaaf.org/gle09/results/eventcode=4191/sex=M/disccode=100/combcode=hash/roundcode=r/index.html#detM100 |title=Bislett Games |publisher=Iaaf.org |date=10 July 2013 |access-date=15 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090706051126/http://www.iaaf.org/gle09/results/eventcode=4191/sex=M/disccode=100/combcode=hash/roundcode=r/index.html#detM100 |archive-date=6 July 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Four days later he recorded the same time in winning the Athletissima 100 m.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iaaf.org/gp09/results/eventcode=4179/sex=M/discCode=100/result.html#M100 |title=Athletissima 2009 |publisher=Iaaf.org |date=10 July 2013 |access-date=15 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090710012354/http://www.iaaf.org/gp09/results/eventcode=4179/sex=M/discCode=100/result.html#M100 |archive-date=10 July 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Although he improved his season's best to 9.88 s, he finished second to Tyson Gay at the Golden Gala Roma on 10 July.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goldengala.it/result2009/re0010040.html |title=GOLDEN GALA 2009 – 100m Men |publisher=Goldengala.it |access-date=4 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227132935/http://www.goldengala.it/result2009/re0010040.html |archive-date=27 February 2012 }}</ref> Powell next ran the 100 m at
the International Meeting of Athletics' Sports Solidarity, a charity event that encourages the participation of disabled athletes, finishing third.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fidal.it/2009/COD1871/Gara003.htm |title=20° MEETING INTERNAZIONALE DI ATLETICA LEGGERA |website=www.fidal.it |language=it |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090715044351/http://www.fidal.it/2009/COD1871/Gara003.htm |archive-date=15 July 2009}}</ref>

At the [[2009 World Championships in Athletics]], Powell took bronze in the finals of the 100 m meet with a time of 9.84 seconds, while compatriot Bolt broke his own world record by running 9.58 seconds. Eight days later, on 22 August, Powell helped Jamaica claim gold in the 4 × 100 m relay by running the anchor leg. The time of 37.31 seconds set was a new Championship Record for the event.

===2010–2011===
[[File:Powell 2010-06-04 Bislett Games 03.jpg|thumb|right|Powell plays to the crowd at the 2010 Bislett Games]]

Asafa Powell opened his 2010 season on 20 February at the UWI Invitational Meet in [[Jamaica]] by competing in the 400&nbsp;m. He won his heat in a time of 47.56&nbsp;s but was placed 3rd overall according to his time. He then ran the 200&nbsp;m at the UTech Classic on 17 April 2010, also in his homeland. He competed in the 200&nbsp;m in heavy rain and cold conditions. Powell opened up a huge lead in the first 100&nbsp;m, after which he slowed drastically and won his heat in 21.27&nbsp;s in a 1&nbsp;m/s headwind. Later, it was reported that Powell had suffered minor cramps on his left calf muscles, which was why he had to slow down. Powell was next scheduled to run in the highly anticipated 4 × 100&nbsp;m Penn Relays featuring Jamaica Yellow, and competing against [[Usain Bolt]] (Jamaica Black). However, he pulled out of the race as it was reported by his assistant coach that he had an injured toe, which would need some time to heal. At the IAAF Diamond League<ref>[http://en.omriyadat.com/videos/asafa-powell-100m-iaaf-diamond-league Asafa Powell 9.94 Men's 100m | Zurich Diamond League] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918115109/http://en.omriyadat.com/videos/asafa-powell-100m-iaaf-diamond-league |date=18 September 2016}}. Retrieved on 10 September 2016.</ref> in [[Doha]], Powell made a wind aided time of 9.75&nbsp;s in the heat and 9.81&nbsp;s in the final, also wind-aided. He subsequently set a 100&nbsp;m world leading time of 9.83&nbsp;s. En route to this performance, he also set the rarely run 100 yards dash world best at 9.07 s, beating the previous record of 9.21 s set by [[Charles Greene (athlete)|Charlie Greene]].

[[File:Powell 2010-06-04 Bislett Games 100 m 9,72.jpg|thumb|left|Powell with a wind-aided 9.72s win at the 2010 [[Bislett Games]]]]

Powell next competed at the DKF Bislett Games in [[Oslo]], [[Norway]], where he powered to a splendid victory with a wind-aided 9.72 s. A week later, he competed at the Golden Gala in [[Rome]], [[Italy]], where he overcame a very poor reaction time at the start to take another victory in a World Leading time of 9.82&nbsp;s. It was reported that Powell ended his six-year contract with leading sports brand [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] due to sponsorship problems, and rumours spread that he has a new contract with fast upcoming Chinese sports brand [[Li-Ning]]. Asafa next competed in the 200&nbsp;m of the Jamaican Senior Trials where he won the final in 19.97 s, his second fastest ever. There, for the first time, he promoted his new [[Li Ning]] outfit. Powell next competed in [[Gateshead]] where he got off to a terrific start but lost to fast finishing [[Tyson Gay]], who took the victory in 9.94&nbsp;s to Powell's 9.96&nbsp;s in a strong 1.7&nbsp;m/s headwind. Powell was not very disappointed as he mentioned that he got too relaxed, thus allowing [[Tyson Gay|Gay]] to outdo him in the final strides. The next race in [[Paris]] against [[Usain Bolt]] was a disappointing one. Although he had a good start, [[Usain Bolt|Bolt]] caught him at halfway point, and Asafa began to lose his fluent running form. He finished 2nd to Bolt in 9.91&nbsp;s, 0.07&nbsp;s slower than his rival and also into a slight headwind. Asafa said that he had a very bad race, which he hoped to improve in his upcoming races. Unfortunately for Powell, there was not a 'next race' for him. He picked up strains from his [[Paris]] meeting, which aggravated to hamstring and back problems. Powell missed his next two outings where he was scheduled to clash against [[Usain Bolt|Bolt]] and [[Tyson Gay|Gay]]. Powell ended his splendid 2010 season on a disappointing note, even though he expressed satisfaction on the races that he competed for the year.

Asafa opened his 2011 season on 16 April at the National Stadium in [[Kingston, Jamaica]]. He ran the 200&nbsp;m where he came in third after what looked to be a good first 140&nbsp;m, slowing down significantly at the last quarter of the race. His time was 20.55&nbsp;s for the race behind [[Yohan Blake]] and [[Daniel Bailey]]. Powell ran his next race was the 4 × 100&nbsp;m relay, USA vs The World, at the Penn Relays 2011, on 28 April. He ran the unusual first leg for [[Jamaica]] as he blasted off like a bullet to give Jamaica the lead. [[Jamaica]] won the event in a world leading time of 38.33&nbsp;s, ahead of USA Red and USA Blue teams respectively. He stated after the run that he was in good shape, and looking forward to do great things in the year ahead. Powell next ran the 200&nbsp;m at the Jamaica International Invitational Meet on 7 May. He looked promising in the first 120&nbsp;m, after which he slowed down drastically, finishing in last place with a time of 21.40&nbsp;s, in a race won by Jamaican Nickel Ashmeade. He later stated that he felt a minor pain in his hamstring, and backed off as a precaution, but insisted that it was nothing serious.

In the second meeting of the [[2011 IAAF Diamond League]] at [[Shanghai Golden Grand Prix]], Powell won the 100 m with a time of 9.95 seconds.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/sports/2011-05/15/c_13875976.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108133553/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/sports/2011-05/15/c_13875976.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 January 2016|title=Powell claims 100m title in Shanghai Diamond League|publisher=Xinhua News Agency|date=15 May 2011 }}</ref> Powell next ran at the IAAF Diamond League in [[Rome]] against [[Usain Bolt]] on 26 May. Powell had a superb start and mid, but he faded towards the end, only to allow the world record holder to surpass him in the final 10–12&nbsp;m of the race. Bolt won in 9.91&nbsp;s, and Powell came second in 9.93s. He said that he had lost focus, but is confident about beating [[Usain Bolt|Bolt]] after what he had done that day. Powell next competed in the IAAF World Challenge in [[Rabat]], [[Morocco]], in a low key meet. There, after running the first 20 m, he pulled up and finished last in 36.13&nbsp;s, citing a precaution against a serious hamstring injury. Reports said that it was nothing serious, and he would be ready for the Jamaican Trials later in the month. At the Jamaican Trials 23–24 July, Powell looked impressive as he qualified through the rounds. He posted a season best of 9.90s in his semi-final, despite easing off in the final 1 5m. Later, after overcoming a bad start, Powell won the final to be titled National Champion for the fifth time in his career. He won in a time of 10.08&nbsp;s into a 1.8&nbsp;m/s headwind. [[Yohan Blake]] and Steve Mullings were second and third respectively with only 0.01&nbsp;s separating them.

Next up for Powell was the Diamond League Athletissima in [[Lausanne]] on 30 June. In chilly conditions not ideal for sprinting, the former world record holder bulleted out of his blocks and ran to the tape, recording a world-leading 9.78&nbsp;s with a following wind of 1.0&nbsp;m/s. Powell was indeed happy with his strong performance, his fastest in three years, and full of confidence about the rest of the season and IAAF World Championships in [[Daegu]], [[South Korea]] in late August. Next up for Powell was the IAAF Diamond League Meeting in [[Birmingham]], [[England]] on 10 July. He became the first man in history to break the 10 seconds barrier in the Sir Alexander Stadium when he clocked a very easy looking 9.95&nbsp;s in his heat. Later, in the final, he eased to a 9.91 s victory where compatriots [[Nesta Carter]] and Michael Frater finished second and third respectively. Powell was satisfied with both his races, stating that he took both the races easy due to very chilly and rainy conditions. Asafa seemed more and more confident heading into the World Championships in late August. Powell next competed on 30 July in [[Budapest]] at the Hungarian Grand Prix. He ran 9.90 s in his heats and eased through the final to win in 9.86&nbsp;s, having followed winds of 1.8&nbsp;m/s and 2.0&nbsp;m/s respectively, in cold conditions.

Powell was next slated to run the Aviva London Grand Prix, but he pulled out, citing a groin strain. Later in late August, just a couple of days before the start of the World Championships in [[Daegu]], Powell shocked the world by pulling out of the highly anticipated 100&nbsp;m as his groin strain was re-aggravated and did not allow him to compete. Powell expressed great disappointment but vowed to come back strong for the [[2012 Summer Olympics|London Olympics]] in 2012, but still hoped to run the 4x100&nbsp;m relay in [[Daegu]]. However, he was unfit to run the relay and had to watch his compatriots win gold in a world record time of 37.04&nbsp;s. Powell competed in the 100&nbsp;m at the Diamond League Final in [[Zürich]] on 9 September. He looked very impressive in the first 60&nbsp;m, but faded to second place as newly crowned world champion, [[Yohan Blake]], took victory in 9.82&nbsp;s. Powell registered a 9.95&nbsp;s run, which was impressive given the fact that his injury was still present. By completing the race, the sprinter took the Samsung Diamond Trophy with $40,000 in cash. Powell ended his season with another injury, almost a repeat of year 2010, where he showed excellent form in the first half of the year but unfortunately suffered injuries.

====2012 London Olympics====
In a ceremony held on 24 February, Powell received the University of Technology (UTech) Chancellor's Medal as well as [[Diana Award|Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Award]] International Ambassador role.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120119/sports/sports5.html|title=Asafa Powell to receive major awards|publisher=Jamaica Gleaner|date=19 January 2012|access-date=4 April 2012|archive-date=23 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120123043132/http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120119/sports/sports5.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He ran a personal best for the [[60 metres]] at the [[Birmingham Indoor Grand Prix]], setting a time of 6.50&nbsp;seconds. On the [[2012 IAAF Diamond League]] circuit, he was narrowly beaten by [[Justin Gatlin]] in [[Doha]] (runner-up in 9.88&nbsp;seconds), then won the 100&nbsp;m at the [[Shanghai Golden Grand Prix]] a week later.<ref>Johnson, Len (19 May 2012). [http://www.iaaf.org/competitions/dlm/news/newsid=65015.html Liu Xiang and G. Dibaba the standouts in rainy Shanghai – Samsung Diamond League] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120828134305/http://www.iaaf.org/competitions/dlm/news/newsid=65015.html |date=28 August 2012 }}. IAAF. Retrieved on 20 May 2012.</ref>

On 5 August 2012, Asafa Powell ran in the final of the [[Athletics at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Men's 100 metres|100 m race]] at the [[2012 Summer Olympics]] in [[London]], [[United Kingdom]]. After back-to-back 5th-place finishes in [[Athens]] and [[Beijing]], 2004 and 2008 respectively, Powell had his most disastrous final yet when he finished dead last with a time of 11.99 seconds, pulling up after seeing others pulling ahead of him, but it was ultimately due to a persistent [[groin]] injury.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/london-olympics-2012/news/Jamaicas-Asafa-Powell-out-with-groin-strain/articleshow/15420773.cms |title=Jamaica's Asafa Powell out with groin strain |access-date=9 August 2012 |work=The Times of India |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120814004145/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/london-olympics-2012/news/Jamaicas-Asafa-Powell-out-with-groin-strain/articleshow/15420773.cms |archive-date=14 August 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://jamaica-gleaner.com/latest/article.php?id=38214 |title=Update: Injury concern for Asafa Powell |work=[[The Gleaner]] |date=29 June 2012 |access-date=7 August 2012 |archive-date=6 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120806225808/http://jamaica-gleaner.com/latest/article.php?id=38214 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://jamaica-gleaner.com/latest/article.php?id=38506 |title=Asafa Powell withdraws from London |work=The Gleaner |date=12 July 2012 |access-date=7 August 2012 |archive-date=6 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120806225527/http://jamaica-gleaner.com/latest/article.php?id=38506 |url-status=live }}</ref> Powell said:<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.stltoday.com/sports/olympics/injury-resurfaces-at-most-inopportune-time-for-asafa-powell-and/article_87298a68-92ea-5ae8-b40e-345f08fa680a.html |title=Injury resurfaces at most inopportune time for Asafa Powell and dashes 100-meter dream |work=[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]] |date=6 August 2012 |agency=[[Yahoo! Sports]] |access-date=7 August 2012 |location=LONDON |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120807004500/http://www.stltoday.com/sports/olympics/injury-resurfaces-at-most-inopportune-time-for-asafa-powell-and/article_87298a68-92ea-5ae8-b40e-345f08fa680a.html |archive-date=7 August 2012}}</ref><blockquote>"It was my old groin injury that reoccurred. I felt it and it started to go. You never want to get injured, but it is a bit of a disaster when it happens in the Olympic final."</blockquote>

[[Usain Bolt]] took the gold with [[Yohan Blake]] getting the silver and [[Justin Gatlin]] the bronze. As a result, Powell along with longtime rival [[Tyson Gay]] who finished 4th, remain as two of the three fastest men of all time to never have won any individual Olympic medals of any type.

After the race, [[Jamaica]]'s track and field manager Ludlow Watts lavished praise on Powell:<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10825103 |title=Olympics: Bolt credits fans for 100m victory |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=6 August 2012 |access-date=7 August 2012 |author=Rawhiti-Forbes, Troy |archive-date=6 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120806224319/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10825103 |url-status=live }}</ref><blockquote>Powell actually started this great change in our sprinting, and he's still a champion.</blockquote>

Following the race, Powell had an ultrasound showing new tears in his adductor muscles as well as scar tissue in a previous injury. The groin injury appears to be season-ending as manager Paul Doyle believes he will miss the remainder of the year. "I don't think it looks good for the rest of the season for Asafa," he lamented. Powell was not able to compete for Jamaica in the men's 4 × 100 m relay on 10 August.

Powell released an apparel and accessories line branded "Sub 10 King" and many others, also opening up his personal website www.iamasafa.com for people's viewing and a platform to purchase his products.

====2013–2014 suspension and appeal====
On 14 July 2013 Powell announced he had tested positive for the banned drug [[oxilofrine]] in 2013 and withdrew from the [[2013 World Championships in Athletics|2013 World Athletics Championships]] as a result, but maintained that he did not take any banned supplements knowingly or willfully.<ref name="bp">{{cite web|title=Jamaican Sprinter Asafa Powell slapped 18-month ban for doping|url=http://news.biharprabha.com/2014/04/jamaican-sprinter-asafa-powell-slapped-18-month-ban-for-doping/|work=Indo-Asian News Service|publisher=news.biharprabha.com|access-date=10 April 2014|archive-date=14 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140414194427/http://news.biharprabha.com/2014/04/jamaican-sprinter-asafa-powell-slapped-18-month-ban-for-doping/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140409004352/http://www.supersport.com/athletics/international/news/130714/Five_Jamaicans_test_positive_for_banned_drugs|archive-date=9 April 2014|agency=Reuters |url=http://www.supersport.com/athletics/international/news/130714/Five_Jamaicans_test_positive_for_banned_drugs |title=Jamaicans Powell, Simpson test positive - SuperSport - Athletics |publisher=SuperSport |access-date=15 July 2013}}</ref> Powell and fellow Jamaican sprinter, [[Sherone Simpson]] had taken the supplement Epiphany D1 as part of their training regimen, not knowing it contained oxilofrine. It was later revealed that Acacia was substituted with oxilofrine, and not revealed by the manufacturer. The duo sued the company that sold the supplement, Dynamic Life Nutrition (DLN), in order to clear their names. Both Powell and Simpson reached an out of court settlement for an undisclosed amount in September 2015. After the settlement, Simpson released a statement stating: "Both Asafa and I are happy that we were able to settle this out of court."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Raynor |first1=Kayon |title=Powell, Simpson settle case with nutrition company |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/athletics-powell-simpson/powell-simpson-settle-case-with-nutrition-company-idINKCN0R904A20150909 |access-date=11 January 2022 |work=Reuters |date=8 September 2015 |archive-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111202027/https://www.reuters.com/article/athletics-powell-simpson/powell-simpson-settle-case-with-nutrition-company-idINKCN0R904A20150909 |url-status=live }}</ref> In April 2014, the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission suspended him for 18 months over doping charges, expiring in December that year.<ref name="Powell and Simpson suspended">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/26974788|title=Asafa Powell banned for 18 months for doping|work=BBC Sport |date=10 April 2014|agency=[[BBC Sport]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140509060737/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/athletics/26974788|archive-date=9 May 2014}}</ref> However, after he and Simpson appealed to the [[Court of Arbitration for Sport]] (CAS), the suspensions were reduced to the 6 months already served as CAS accepted the explanation that the offense was minor and due to contamination of the Epiphany D1 supplement.<ref name="Powell and Simpson suspensions lifted">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/jul/14/jamaican-sprinters-asafa-powell-sherone-simpson-doping-bans-cut|title=Jamaican sprinters Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson have doping bans cut|website=[[TheGuardian.com]]|date=14 July 2014|access-date=22 October 2020|archive-date=27 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027232520/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/jul/14/jamaican-sprinters-asafa-powell-sherone-simpson-doping-bans-cut|url-status=live}}</ref>

====2016 Rio Olympics====
On 19 August 2016, Powell made a triumphant Olympic return, competing as part of the Jamaican 4 × 100 m men's relay team and winning a gold medal. After Jamaican team gold medal in 2008 Olympics were stripped, this medal win will be his only gold medal at Olympic Games.

===Physiology and running style===
Despite Powell's size ({{convert|1.91|m|ftin|abbr=on|disp=or}} tall, weighing {{convert|93|kg|lb|disp=or}}), he has fast initial acceleration. In the Japanese sports Science institute in 2008, Asafa Powell was measured to have a small cross sectional area of his quadriceps tendon stretched with 114 kilograms of pull force, compared to sprinter [[Nobuharu Asahara]]'s measurement of 59 kilograms, and the average mans as being 43 kilograms.<ref>{{cite episode |title=SECRETS D'ATHLÈTES - le 100m - Asafa POWELL |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Qai-AjEA5I |access-date=24 January 2020 |series=SECRETS D'ATHLÈTES |network=ARTE |date=2008 |time=28:45 |quote="Adult Male Moyen : 43&nbsp;kg, Asahara : 59&nbsp;kg , Powell : 114&nbsp;kg" |language=fr |archive-date=29 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229040741/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Qai-AjEA5I |url-status=live }}</ref> Powell was also noted as having a large [[Psoas major muscle]] in the Japanese sports science institute.<ref>{{cite episode |title=SECRETS D'ATHLÈTES - le 100m - Asafa POWELL |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Qai-AjEA5I |access-date=24 January 2020 |series=SECRETS D'ATHLÈTES |network=ARTE |date=2008 |time=18:07 |quote="His Psoas muscle is huge" |language=fr |archive-date=29 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229040741/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Qai-AjEA5I |url-status=live }}</ref> Coupled with comparatively high stiffness in his ligaments and tendons, his long legs provide a long stride of 2.6 metres with rapid progression between each stride.<ref>{{cite episode |title=SECRETS D'ATHLÈTES - le 100m - Asafa POWELL |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Qai-AjEA5I |access-date=24 January 2020 |series=SECRETS D'ATHLÈTES |network=ARTE |date=2008 |time=00:49 |quote="His stride is up to 2.60 meters." |language=fr |archive-date=29 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229040741/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Qai-AjEA5I |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Personal life==
Powell is deeply religious, citing his mother and father and his strict upbringing as the reason for this.<ref name="Faith-based sprinting">{{cite web|url=http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20040228/(spirit)/(spirit)1.html |title=Faith-based sprinting |publisher=Jamaica-gleaner.com |date=28 February 2004 |access-date=20 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222030449/http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20040228/%28spirit%29/%28spirit%291.html |archive-date=22 February 2012}}</ref>

In 2002, tragedy struck the Powell family when one of Asafa's brothers, Michael Powell, was shot dead in a taxi in New York.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sify.com/sports/olympics/stars/Asafa_Powell.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090827074745/http://sify.com/sports/olympics/stars/Asafa_Powell.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 August 2009|title=Asafa Powell pre-Beijing profile|website=[[Sify]]|date=11 November 1982|access-date=20 November 2011}}</ref> This emotional event happened the week of the Jamaica National Trials.<ref name="Faith-based sprinting"/> In 2003, Asafa lost another brother during the week of the Jamaica National Championships. One year after the death of Michael, Vaughn Powell suffered a heart attack while playing a game of [[American football]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/olympics/article4281388.ece|title=Death and defeat still stalking Asafa Powell|publisher=Timesonline.co.uk|access-date=4 April 2012|location=London|archive-date=2 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202105225/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/olympics/article4281388.ece|url-status=dead}}</ref> In April 2007, Corey Reid, an uncle of Powell, was stabbed in Waterloo, [[Ewarton]], St. Catherine. He later died in hospital.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/tools/breakingnews/bnm.asp?bn=1025|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090427135154/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/tools/breakingnews/bnm.asp?bn=1025|url-status=dead|title=Court date for man charged with murder of Asafa Powell's uncle|archivedate=27 April 2009|accessdate=18 December 2022}}</ref>

Powell married Ghanaian-born Canadian model Alyshia Powell in 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fans Thrilled As Asafa Powell Weds Canadian Model |url=http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/entertainment/20190219/fans-thrilled-asafa-powell-weds-canadian-model |website=Jamaica Gleaner |date=19 February 2019 |access-date=2 October 2019 |archive-date=2 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002165915/http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/entertainment/20190219/fans-thrilled-asafa-powell-weds-canadian-model |url-status=live }}</ref> Powell has four children—two with his wife, Amieke Powell and Azhaf Powell and two from previous relationships, Avani Powell and Liam Powell. Mercedes Formula 1 junior [[Alex Powell]] is his nephew.

He is good friends with compatriot, 100 and 200-metre world record holder [[Usain Bolt]].<ref name="jamaica-gleaner.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20100716/sports/sports1.html|title=Jamaica Gleaner News – Showdown in Paris – Sport – Friday &#124; July 16, 2010|publisher=Jamaica-gleaner.com|date=16 July 2010|access-date=20 November 2011|archive-date=12 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812002150/http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20100716/sports/sports1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The two are often seen joking around and do meet off the track.

Powell is an avid car enthusiast.<ref name="jamaica-gleaner.com"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20080302/out/out1.html|title=Jamaica Gleaner News – Even off track ... Asafa loves the fast lane – Sunday &#124; March 2, 2008|publisher=Jamaica-gleaner.com|access-date=20 November 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812002154/http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20080302/out/out1.html|archive-date=12 August 2011}}</ref>

Powell announced his retirement from Track and Field on 23 November 2022.<ref name="Asafa Powell, 100m world record holder before Usain Bolt, retires">{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/olympics/news/asafa-powell-retires-track-and-field-sprinter-jamaica |title=Asafa Powell, 100m world record holder before Usain Bolt, retires |date=25 November 2022 |publisher=nbcsports.com |access-date=19 July 2023 |archive-date=19 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230719200337/https://www.nbcsports.com/olympics/news/asafa-powell-retires-track-and-field-sprinter-jamaica |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Sponsorship==
*Powell has been under contract with [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] since 2004, representing them in all his IAAF races, and agreed to appear in various advertising campaigns for the company. [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] designed and built the Zoom Aerofly shoes for him, which were used at the [[2008 Summer Olympics|2008 Beijing Games]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://speedendurance.com/2008/08/13/asafa-powell-debuts-nike-zoom-aerofly-at-beijing/|title=Asafa Powell debuts Zoom Aerofly in Beijing|publisher=Speedendurance.com|date=13 August 2008|access-date=20 November 2011|archive-date=27 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027183659/http://speedendurance.com/2008/08/13/asafa-powell-debuts-nike-zoom-aerofly-at-beijing/|url-status=live}}</ref> However, Powell ended his contract with [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] in mid-2010, and signed up with leading Chinese sports brand [[Li-Ning|Li Ning]]. He has signed with [[Puma (brand)|Puma]] in 2015.
*[[GlaxoSmithKline]], through its energy drink [[Lucozade]], has sponsored Powell since he first broke the 100 m World Record in 2005. They honoured his [[Beijing]] achievements in a small function in October 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20081029/sports/sports8.html|title=Lucozade honors Powell|publisher=Jamaica-gleaner.com|access-date=20 November 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320012123/http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20081029/sports/sports8.html|archive-date=20 March 2012}}</ref>
*In January 2006, Powell signed as a global brand spokesperson for [[Nutrilite]]. Nutrilite products are sold through the [[Amway]] corporation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amway.com/en_US/nutrilite|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080612065251/http://www.nutrilite.com/en-us/TeamNutrilite/Athletes/Asafa-powell.aspx|url-status=dead|title=Nutrilite Vitamins and Supplements|archivedate=12 June 2008|website=www.amway.com|accessdate=18 December 2022}}</ref> On 14 January 2009 Amway's Team Nutrilite ended the sponsorship agreement with Powell.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://teamnutrilite.opportunityzone.com/2009/01/14/Asafa-sprints-off-into-the-sunset.aspx|title=Asafa sprints off into the sunset|publisher=Teamnutrilite.opportunityzone.com|access-date=20 November 2011|archive-date=24 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100724190554/http://teamnutrilite.opportunityzone.com/2009/01/14/Asafa-sprints-off-into-the-sunset.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Accomplishments and major competition results==
===Personal bests===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
|-
!Event
!Time (seconds)
!Venue
!Date
|-
|[[60 metres]]
|6.44<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zimbio.com/Usain+Bolt/articles/lDJuB9Izs0m/Lerone+Clarke+beats+Asafa+Powell+over+60m|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130210050625/http://www.zimbio.com/Usain+Bolt/articles/lDJuB9Izs0m/Lerone+Clarke+beats+Asafa+Powell+over+60m|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 February 2013|title=Lerone Clarke beats Asafa Powell over 60m: Video Highlights – Usain Bolt|publisher=Zimbio|date=18 February 2012|access-date=4 April 2012}}</ref>
|World Indoor Championships, [[Portland, Oregon]]
|18 March 2016
|-
|[[100 metres]]
|9.72<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/asafa-powell-clocks-9-72-at-athletissima-1.713925|work=CBC News|title=Asafa Powell clocks 9.72 at Athletissima|date=3 September 2008|access-date=18 December 2008|archive-date=4 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104004549/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/amateur/story/2008/09/02/iaaf-athletissima-lausanne.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|[[Lausanne]], Switzerland
|2 September 2008
|-
|[[200 metres]]
|19.90, 19.83w<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/5116080.stm|work=BBC News|title=Powell equals year's fastest 200m|date=26 June 2006|access-date=25 April 2010|archive-date=8 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108133552/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/5116080.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>
|[[Kingston, Jamaica|Kingston]], Jamaica
|25 June 2006
|-
|[[400 metres]]
|45.94<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nswathletics.org.au/answ/live_stc/090228F024.htm |title=Sydney Track Classic - 28/02/2009 |website=www.nswathletics.org.au |archive-url=https://archive.today/20090304161631/http://www.nswathletics.org.au/answ/live_stc/090228F024.htm |archive-date=4 March 2009}}</ref>
|[[Sydney]], Australia
|28 February 2009
|}

===Competition record===
;60 metres
{|class="wikitable"
|-
! Event|| Result|| City|| Date
|-
| [[2004 IAAF World Indoor Championships]]|| 5th Semifinal|| [[Budapest]]|| 5 March 2004
|-
| [[2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships]]|| 2nd Final|| [[Portland, Oregon]]|| 18 March 2016
|}
'''100 metres'''
{|class="wikitable"
|-
! Event|| Result (Pos)|| City|| Date
|-
| [[2003 IAAF World Athletics Final]]|| 7th Final|| [[Monaco]]|| 13 September 2003
|-
| [[Athletics at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's 100 metres|2004 Olympic Games]]|| 5th Final|| [[Athens]]|| 22 August 2004
|-
| [[2004 IAAF World Athletics Final]]|| 1st Final|| [[Monaco]]|| 18 September 2004
|-
| [[2006 Commonwealth Games]]|| 1st Final|| [[Melbourne]]|| 20 March 2006
|-
| [[2006 IAAF World Athletics Final]]|| 1st Final|| [[Stuttgart]]|| 9 September 2006
|-
| [[2007 World Championships in Athletics|2007 World Championships]]|| 3rd Final||[[Osaka]]||26 August 2007
|-
| [[2007 IAAF World Athletics Final]]|| 1st Final|| [[Stuttgart]]|| 22 September 2007
|-
|[[Athletics at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's 100 metres|2008 Olympic Games]]|| 5th Final|| [[Beijing]]|| 16 August 2008
|-
| [[2008 IAAF World Athletics Final]]|| 1st Final|| [[Stuttgart]]|| 13 September 2008
|-
| [[2009 World Championships in Athletics|2009 World Championships]]|| 3rd Final|| [[Berlin]]|| 16 August 2009
|-
| [[2009 IAAF World Athletics Final]]|| 2nd Final|| [[Thessaloniki]]|| 12 September 2009
|-
|[[Athletics at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Men's 100 metres|2012 Olympic Games]]|| 8th Final|| [[London]]|| 5 August 2012
|-
| [[2015 World Championships in Athletics|2015 World Championships]]|| 7th Final|| [[Beijing]]|| 23 August 2015
|}

;200 metres
{|class="wikitable"
|-
! Event|| Result|| City|| Date
|-
| [[Athletics at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's 200 metres|2004 Olympic Games]]|| 4th Semifinal (Final DNS)|| [[Athens]]|| 25 August 2004
|-
| [[2004 IAAF World Athletics Final]]|| 1st Final|| [[Monaco]]|| 20 September 2004
|}

;4 × 100 metres relay
{|class="wikitable"
|-
! Event|| Result|| City|| Date
|-
| [[Athletics at the 2002 Commonwealth Games|2002 Commonwealth Games]]|| 2nd Final|| [[Manchester]]|| 31 July 2002
|-
| [[2003 World Championships in Athletics|2003 World Championships]]|| DQ Final|| [[Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis|Saint-Denis]] || 31 August 2003
|-
| [[2005 World Championships in Athletics|2005 World Championships]]|| 4th Final|| [[Helsinki]]|| 13 August 2005
|-
| [[Athletics at the 2006 Commonwealth Games|2006 Commonwealth Games]]|| 1st Final|| [[Melbourne]]|| 25 March 2006
|-
| [[2007 World Championships in Athletics|2007 World Championships]]|| 2nd Final|| [[Osaka]]|| 1 September 2007
|-
| [[Athletics at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's 4 × 100 metres relay|2008 Olympic Games]]|| DQ Final|| [[Beijing]]|| 22 August 2008 
|-
| [[2009 World Championships in Athletics|2009 World Championships]]|| 1st Final|| [[Berlin]]|| 22 August 2009 [[File:Sport records icon CR.svg|20px|Championship Record]]
|-
| [[2015 World Championships in Athletics|2015 World Championships]]|| 1st Final|| [[Beijing]]|| 29 August 2015
|-
| [[Athletics at the 2016 Summer Olympics – Men's 4 × 100 metres relay|2016 Olympic Games]]|| 1st Final|| [[Rio de Janeiro]]|| 19 August 2016
|}

===Miscellaneous accomplishment===
;Sub-10.0 runs, Season (100 m)
*Powell was the first man to have run legally under 10.00 seconds 15 times in a single season (2008).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iaaf.org/statistics/toplists/inout=O/age=N/season=2008/sex=M/list.html|title=IAAF 100 Metres 2008 Outdoor season list|publisher=Iaaf.org|date=25 August 2007|access-date=20 November 2011|archive-date=6 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111206082035/http://www.iaaf.org/statistics/toplists/inout=O/age=N/season=2008/sex=M/list.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

;IAAF World Athletics Tour wins
Powell has recorded a total of 35 wins in [[IAAF Grand Prix]] events, 14 coming in [[IAAF Golden League|Golden League]] events and 12 in [[IAAF Super Grand Prix]] events.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iaaf.org/history/index.html |title=IAAF Competition Archive |publisher=Iaaf.org |date=25 August 2007 |access-date=20 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111026025504/http://www.iaaf.org/history/index.html |archive-date=26 October 2011 }}</ref>

In the seven-year history of the [[IAAF World Athletics Final]] (2003–2009), Powell won the most competitions of any male athlete and took home the most prize money in the male events. In his seven appearances at the competition, he won the 100&nbsp;m four times and 200&nbsp;m once, winning US$173,000 in total.<ref>Butler, Mark (24 September 2009). [http://www.iaaf.org/WAF09/news/kind=100/newsid=54485.html World Athletics Final – a statistical farewell]. [[IAAF]]. Retrieved on 24 September 2009. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090927065020/http://www.iaaf.org/WAF09/news/kind%3D100/newsid%3D54485.html |date=27 September 2009 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.iaaf.org/mm/document/competitions/competition/05/44/86/20090924100129%5fhttppostedfile%5fwaf%5f16752.pdf Farewell to WAF] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023040225/http://www.iaaf.org/mm/document/competitions/competition/05/44/86/20090924100129_httppostedfile_waf_16752.pdf |date=23 October 2012 }}. [[IAAF]] (24 September 2009). Retrieved on 24 September 2009.</ref>

;Time progression in the 100 m
{|class="wikitable"
|-
! Year|| Time|| Windspeed|| City|| Date
|-
| 2000|| 11.45|| −2.3|| Kingston || 13 March||rowspan=12|[[File:Asafapowell100mprogression.gif|400px|thumb|left|The progression of Powell's 100&nbsp;m seasons' best times]]
|-
| 2001|| 10.50|| 0.4|| Kingston || 22 June
|-
| 2002|| 10.12|| 1.3|| Rovereto|| 28 August
|-
| 2003|| 10.02|| 0.8|| Brussels|| 5 September
|-
| 2004|| 9.87|| 0.2|| Brussels|| 3 September
|-
| 2005|| 9.77|| 1.6|| Athens|| 14 June
|-
| 2006|| 9.77|| 1.0|| Zürich|| 15 August
|-
| 2007|| 9.74|| 1.7|| Rieti|| 9 September
|-
| 2008|| 9.72|| 0.2|| Lausanne|| 2 September
|-
| 2009|| 9.82|| 1.4|| Szczecin|| 15 September
|-
| 2010|| 9.82|| 0.6|| Rome|| 10 June
|-
| 2011|| 9.78|| 1.0|| Lausanne|| 30 June
|-
| 2012|| 9.85|| 0.6|| Oslo|| 7 June
|-
| 2013|| 9.88|| 2.0|| Lausanne|| 4 July
|-
| 2014|| 9.87|| 1.6|| Austin|| 23 August
|-
| 2015|| 9.81|| 1.3|| Saint-Denis|| 4 July
|-
| 2016|| 9.92|| 1.9|| Székesfehérvár|| 18 July
|}
{{Clear}}

==See also==
*[[Athletics in Jamaica]]
*[[Jamaica at the Olympics]]
*[[Jamaica at the 2006 Commonwealth Games]]
*[[World record progression 100 metres men]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Asafa Powell}}
* {{Official website|http://www.asafapowell.net/}}
* {{World Athletics}}
* [http://www.all-athletics.com/node/48608 Asafa Powell] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160922134427/http://www.all-athletics.com/node/48608 |date=22 September 2016 }} at All-Athletics.com
* {{Olympics.com|asafa-powell|org_archive=20210125013838}}
* {{Olympedia}}
* {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080727114743/http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1819129_1819134_1825727,00.html |title="Asafa Powell", n°11 on ''Time'''s list of 100 Olympic Athletes To Watch |date=dmy}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-ach|rec}}
{{succession box|before=[[Maurice Greene (athlete)|Maurice Greene]]|title=[[Men's 100 metres world record progression|Men's 100 metres World Record Holder]]|years=14 June 2005 – 31 May 2008|after=[[Usain Bolt]]}}
{{s-ach|aw}}
{{succession box|title=[[Track & Field Athlete of the Year|Men's Track & Field Athlete of the Year]]|before=[[Kenenisa Bekele]]|after=[[Tyson Gay]]|years=2006}}
{{succession box|title=IAAF Performance of the Year|before=[[Liu Xiang (hurdler)|Liu Xiang]]|after=[[Dayron Robles]]|years=2007}}
{{succession box|title=CAC Male Athlete of the Year|before=[[Félix Sánchez (hurdler)|Félix Sánchez]]|after=[[Usain Bolt]]|years=2005, 2006 & 2007}}
{{s-end}}

{{Jamaican Sportsman of the Year}}
{{Footer Olympic Champions 4x100 m Men|2008|2016}}
{{Footer World Champions 4 × 100 m Men|2009|2015}}
{{Footer Commonwealth Champions 100 metres Men}}
{{Footer Commonwealth Champions 4x100 m Men|2006}}
{{Footer IAAF Diamond League 100 Metres Champions Men}}
{{Footer WBYP 100m Men}}
{{IAAF World Athlete of the Year (men)}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Powell, Asafa}}
[[Category:1982 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Jamaican men sprinters]]
[[Category:World record setters in the sport of athletics]]
[[Category:Olympic athletes for Jamaica]]
[[Category:Olympic gold medalists for Jamaica]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2008 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 2004 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 2008 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 2012 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 2016 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Commonwealth Games gold medallists for Jamaica]]
[[Category:Commonwealth Games athletes for Jamaica]]
[[Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 2002 Commonwealth Games]]
[[Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 2006 Commonwealth Games]]
[[Category:World Athletics Championships medalists]]
[[Category:World Athletics Indoor Championships medalists]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Spanish Town]]
[[Category:Athletes from Saint Catherine Parish]]
[[Category:Jamaican Christians]]
[[Category:Commanders of the Order of Distinction]]
[[Category:Jamaican sportspeople in doping cases]]
[[Category:Doping cases in the sport of athletics]]
[[Category:World Athletics Championships athletes for Jamaica]]
[[Category:Commonwealth Games silver medallists for Jamaica]]
[[Category:Olympic gold medalists in athletics]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2016 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Competitors stripped of Summer Olympics medals]]
[[Category:IAAF Golden League winners]]
[[Category:Track & Field News Athlete of the Year winners]]
[[Category:Diamond League winners]]
[[Category:Commonwealth Games gold medallists in athletics]]
[[Category:Commonwealth Games silver medallists in athletics]]
[[Category:World Athletics Championships winners]]
[[Category:Medallists at the 2002 Commonwealth Games]]
[[Category:Medallists at the 2006 Commonwealth Games]]
[[Category:Jamaican Athletics Championships winners]]