Chat with Samsung Diamond League Ambassador - Asafa Powell

8 June Start time 10:30 AM End time 11:00 AM CET (GMT+2hrs)

Asafa Powell

5 June 2010 - Samsung Diamond League Ambassador Asafa Powell (JAM) has been tearing-up the tracks so far this season. Three meetings, all sub-10sec, including his 100m season leading 9.83sec (-0.5m/s) in Ostrava and last night's slightly windy 9.72 (2.1) victory in the Oslo Diamond League.

The former World record holder for the dash, a two-time World bronze medallist, has never started a season-off as well. Powell seems a changed character, a relaxed, loose, free spirit who has found new joy in being an athlete.

His own words in Oslo summed-up the transformation: “I broke out of my shell,” said Powell. “I was in a nutshell before, but now I’m not taking it so seriously.”

“Coach (Francis) told me to bring the man who makes jokes and clowns around off the track, onto the track, to relax and enjoy it. That’s what I’m doing.”

THE CHAT IS NOW CLOSED

Thank you for your questions and sorry we couldn't get to them all.

ASAFA SAYS BYE

All questions Displaying records 1-42

08.06.2010 - 7:58 PM | by Roko Kosta - Croatia

When you run it looks like you're barely touching ground. Do you think you could run on water surface? :)

Asafa Powell 8:07 PM Yes I've thought about running on water but I won't try because i'm not a good swimmer LOL

08.06.2010 - 7:57 PM | by Peter Larsson - Stockholm - Sweden

Do you plan to compete in 200m for future?

Asafa Powell 8:06 PM Yes I can run a good 200 in the future. When that future will be????

08.06.2010 - 7:55 PM | by Nadia Christie - Atlanta, GA

Hi Asafa! I'm pleased and proud that you've been doing so well this season. I'm curious to know what you do/would like to do during the off season to encourage Jamaican youths to reach and fulfill their dreams?

Asafa Powell 8:05 PM That's when my foundation goes to work.

08.06.2010 - 7:55 PM | by Ganel Kumar - Mumbai India

It seems that you lost some weight in 2010 compared to last year. How much did your weight change? And was it a deliberate choice to get slimmer? Thx

Asafa Powell 8:04 PM 4kilos loss

08.06.2010 - 7:50 PM | by Michaela Redl - Germany

Is it true that your manager is a better dancer than you?

Asafa Powell 8:03 PM No not possible, I'm his teacher. LOL Manager sitting next to me - "of course I am"

08.06.2010 - 7:48 PM | by Chris Forstood - Wales

Asafa are you cheating?

Asafa Powell 8:01 PM No! If I was running 8.5 yes!

08.06.2010 - 7:47 PM | by Ishraq Haider - Singapore

Hi Asafa. This is Ishraq, a huge huge fan of yours. I am 16 and i am a sprinter too..and watching you run, now i have a dream of being the world’s fastest man someday. May i knowa little insight of your training and diet please??

Asafa Powell 8:00 PM Eat well, train hard. The same food doesn't work for everyone.

08.06.2010 - 7:46 PM | by mike johnson johnson - RSA

Do you like fast food? If do not like fast food. what is your favorite food?

Asafa Powell 7:59 PM Big MAC

08.06.2010 - 7:45 PM | by Marko Ansip - Estonia

Have you ever considered making a bob sled team - you, Usain and couple of more guys would be quite good crew?

Asafa Powell 7:59 PM yes me and Usain would be quite good but NO! LOL

08.06.2010 - 7:42 PM | by Pascale Ja - Norbrook, Jamaica

In 2006 you set the Meet Record at the Rome Golden Gala in the 100m (9.85), will you retake the meeting record this Thursday?

Asafa Powell 7:58 PM Last week I ran 9.72 and I'm aiming to improve every race

08.06.2010 - 7:40 PM | by Annie Gardiner - Sydney

What is your favourite type of training? track/weights/cross training? Thanks and goodluck!

Asafa Powell 7:56 PM Track, short sprinting

08.06.2010 - 7:37 PM | by Sharon Deuschester - Germany

Will you be having the “Night on Tracks Concert” this year? Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease do because I left all the way from Germany and went to Bolt’s party in December and it was shit, I wasted my money. I read all over the internet that yours was the bomb!

Asafa Powell 7:56 PM yes I'll be holding it

08.06.2010 - 7:36 PM | by Stefan Yankulov - Bulgaria

Is the Diamond League your priority this year and what do u think about this new format?

Asafa Powell 7:55 PM Yes DL is my priority this year.

08.06.2010 - 7:35 PM | by Ion Emil - Bucharest

how do you feel about the 400m?

Asafa Powell 7:54 PM Terrible!

08.06.2010 - 7:34 PM | by Ofir Golan - ISRAEL

are you planning to run in the olympic games in London 2012?

Asafa Powell 7:54 PM Yes

08.06.2010 - 7:32 PM | by Michael Farlong - Florida

This is the best u have looked in your running career and I think your Asafa Powell Foundation should be credited. The foundation brought you out of “your shell” and you should do everything in your powers to ensure that Foundation stays alive and impact

Asafa Powell 7:53 PM yes you're right. My foundation will do everything to inspire young athletes

08.06.2010 - 7:31 PM | by Domagoj Vukman - Zagreb, Croatia

In your opinion who is better sprinter, Maurice Greene or Carl Lewis?

Asafa Powell 7:52 PM Mo Greene

08.06.2010 - 7:31 PM | by John Smith - Ireland

hey asafa nice running this season. What (if any) competition do you plan on peaking for this summer?

Asafa Powell 7:51 PM Coach plans my peaks, I just run.

08.06.2010 - 7:30 PM | by Annie Gardiner - Sydney

What would be your inspiration to other young aspiring track stars, to stick to it and believe in the dream despite turmoils such as injury? Thank you! You are amazing!!

Asafa Powell 7:51 PM Yes stick to it. I've been injured for 3yrs and I'm still going.

08.06.2010 - 7:29 PM | by Domagoj Vukman - Zagreb, Croatia

how much kilograms can you lift in bench press?

Asafa Powell 7:50 PM 140kilos but I hurt my chest when I did that so I don't max test anymore

08.06.2010 - 7:28 PM | by Jason Sanders - USA

You used to wear beads of jamaican colors on your neck. But recently it seems that you dont do it anymore. What caused that change?

Asafa Powell 7:48 PM It broke!

08.06.2010 - 7:26 PM | by Dane T - Jamaica

What is the source of your new found confidence?

Asafa Powell 7:47 PM I've always been confident but normally I was never myself on the track, but now I am.

08.06.2010 - 7:27 PM | by Ralph Grant - Stockholm

Hi! Is is true that Jamaican sprinters train 70% of their time on grass, or is it a myth? Also how would you categorize your own sprinting style and what is technically important for you to run fast? Looking forward to seeing you take on Gay in Stockholm

Asafa Powell 7:45 PM Yes grass that's true. The way I move my arms, and the last 40m

08.06.2010 - 7:25 PM | by kobi Asamoah - Germany

Hello Asafa, do you sometimes wish to have another profession than being a sprinter? Not being forced to train several times a day. And if so, what kind of job would you like to do? Is there something you cheer for except from sports? Where do you see you

Asafa Powell 7:43 PM I'd be a mechanic if I wasn't a sprinter

08.06.2010 - 7:24 PM | by Anna Rogers - London

What characterizes your diet? How much of your estimated calorie intake is carbs? Best wishes, Anna

Asafa Powell 7:42 PM Some LOL I don't pay much attention to diet, just eat a lot of chicken

08.06.2010 - 7:24 PM | by Guilherme Dutra - Brazil

With Jamaica out of the FIFA World Cup, do you have another favorite team to win in South Africa?

Asafa Powell 7:41 PM Italy

08.06.2010 - 7:22 PM | by Daniel James - Mudgee NSW Australia

What would you say the biggest highlight of your career would be ?

Asafa Powell 7:40 PM Hopefully its yet to come but at the moment the first time I broke the World record

08.06.2010 - 7:22 PM | by Guilherme Dutra - Brazil

Do you have plans to compete in South America?

Asafa Powell 7:39 PM I'd love to. My manager says they are planning a beach race (4x100) in Rio. BRA vs JAM

08.06.2010 - 7:23 PM | by Carl Armfelt - Stockholm

Hi Asafa, I really hope u beat Gay and Bolt this season (if the dare to race you). What does your typical weekly training schedule look like? Go hard! /Carl

Asafa Powell 7:38 PM some 300s; 200s; day working on my start; in the gym lifting 4 times a week.

08.06.2010 - 7:19 PM | by Daniel James - Mudgee NSW Australia

What is your favourite leisure activity ?

Asafa Powell 7:35 PM Car racing and building a fast car

08.06.2010 - 7:18 PM | by Taavi Libe - Estonia

You were the biggest star in athletics and then came another Jamaican Usain Bolt and shadowed you. Was it disturbing?

Asafa Powell 7:34 PM No it was exciting as I was getting bored!

08.06.2010 - 7:18 PM | by Domagoj Vukman - Zagreb, Croatia

Do you think that you can run under 9,58 seconds on 100 meters?

Asafa Powell 7:33 PM YES! But as to when? Conditions have got to be right.

08.06.2010 - 7:18 PM | by Nikola Yankulov - Bulgaria

Have you ever got drunk after winning a big race?

Asafa Powell 7:32 PM Yes in Berlin (2009 Wch)

08.06.2010 - 7:17 PM | by Guilherme Dutra - Brazil

Do you think that we will have in the future another generation as good as the current - with you, Bolt and Gay - in the 100m?

Asafa Powell 7:30 PM Yes

08.06.2010 - 7:15 PM | by Delron Inniss - Nassau, Bahamas

Safa, we know in recent years all of our caribbean region athletes shy away from the regional meets, but will I see you make a grand appearance at CAC and NACAC and Commonwealth?

Asafa Powell 7:29 PM I'm 2006 Commonwealth champion!!!!

08.06.2010 - 7:17 PM | by Dane T - Jamaica

Asafa, or Afasa, as you put it ... what role does your faith pla in preparation for races?

Asafa Powell 7:30 PM In whatever you do you have got to have faith and without God nothing is possible.

08.06.2010 - 7:13 PM | by Daniel James - Mudgee NSW Australia

Your favourite place in the world to compete ?

Asafa Powell 7:22 PM Rieti, Italy

08.06.2010 - 7:13 PM | by cristian fulgosi - italy

quale tempo pensi di poter fare in una pista tipo rieti o losanna più per velocisti secondo me visto la forma di quest'anno un meno 9"70 non te lo toglie nessuno come on asafa

Asafa Powell 7:27 PM I don't run as fast as I can, I run as fast as I want to LOL

08.06.2010 - 7:09 PM | by Daniel James - Mudgee NSW Australia

What would your major influence to run and train be, that is what gets you motivated and pushes you to go on ?

Asafa Powell 7:25 PM My family and fans are happy when I compete so that's one motivation and its good to be famous

08.06.2010 - 7:09 PM | by Guilherme Dutra - Brazil

With Gay and Bolt having problems with injuries, do you think that this is going to be your season?

Asafa Powell 7:23 PM With or without them I'm aiming it to be my season

08.06.2010 - 7:07 PM | by Stefan Yankulov - Bulgaria

Asafa,I would like to ask you what is your PB at 500m?

Asafa Powell 7:22 PM Last time 2002 - 1.12

08.06.2010 - 7:02 PM | by IAAF Diamond League Moderator - Rome

IAAF MODERATOR: 30mins to go until the start of the chat with Asafa Powell. He is coming direct from the training field here in Rome to join us. Start asking your questions now.

Asafa Powell 7:04 PM

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