Powell in command, Bolt out of 100m picture

Bolt has struggled this year and his absence sparked concerns about his fitness ahead of this year’s world championships in Beijing.

With Usain Bolt a notable absentee, Asafa Powell threw down the gauntlet at the Jamaican national senior trials on Thursday by running a blistering 9.98 seconds to qualify for the semi-finals of the 100 metres.

Bolt, the world record holder at 100 and 200m, has struggled this year and his absence on Thursday sparked concerns about his fitness ahead of this year’s world championships in Beijing, where he is set to defend his sprint titles.

Former world record holder Powell blasted out of the blocks in lane five and built a commanding lead by halfway before cruising home, with Yohan Blake trailing five metres behind after a horrid start.

Powell said his coach had told him to power out to 40m and control the race from there.

“I’m in very good shape,” Powell told Reuters.

“I’ve not had the best conditions so far in my races this season but I know I’m in good shape and hopefully I can run a really good time here,” said Powell, whose season best of 9.84 is bettered only by American Justin Gatlin.

“I’m not putting too much pressure on myself so now I’m just going to relax and do what I’m supposed to do.

“It’s very important because this is home so I definitely always want to win in front of my home crowd just to show them that I’m still here to stay.”

London Olympic double sprint silver medallist Blake, who is continuing his return from an 11-month injury layoff, was grateful to recover from a poor start and closed well in a time of 10.24.

“I almost fell at the start and to come back like that you know I’m packing some serious power,” Blake told Reuters.

“I just want to get it right even though I think I’m too eager and excited, so I have to just continue working on what I’m working on.”

The semis and final take place on Friday.