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Powell fails to break Bolt's world record in Doha

Asafa Powell could not match Usain Bolt's world record in Doha © Getty Images

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Asafa Powell failed to threaten Usain Bolt's 100m world record, but he did deliver on his promise to put on a big performance for the Doha crowd in Friday's IAAF Diamond League meeting.

In conditions that offered Powell a 2.6m per second assistance, the Jamaican clocked a time of 9.75s in the heats to qualify for the night's showpiece final. And he then produced another sub-10 time of 9.81s in the final to claim the first of 14 Diamond League meetings.

The Jamaican former world record holder is the third fastest sprinter of all time, and he had enough in the second phase of the race to edge out compatriot Nesta Carter who finished second in 9.88s. Travis Padgett of America was third in 9.92s.

It was a bad night for Great Britain's Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu, who suffered a sluggish start to finish fifth in the women's 400m. Reigning 200m world champion Allyson Felix claimed first place in 50.15s, comfortably ahead of Ohoruogu's time of 50.88s.

Michael Rimmer of Great Britain also failed to fight his way onto the podium, finishing sixth in the men's 800m. Rimmer crossed the line almost three seconds behind Kenyan winner David Rudisha, who set a world leading time of 1.43.00s.

There was something of a shock in men's 400m hurdles as world champion Kerron Clement was beaten by Bershawn Jackson, who was a third-place finisher at those World Championships in Berlin. In a far from memorable race that lacked urgency, Jackson took first place in 48.66s ahead of Clement who came home in 48.82s. Olympic champion Anglo Taylor was fourth.

"I want to be number one, I want to win all Diamond races," said Jackson. "I want to go back to 47s level. Today because of the wind we could not get better times. It is nice to beat the Olympic champion and the world champion in one race."

The women's 100m hurdles went to Lolo Jones, who clocked a time of 12.63s to edge out the world silver medallist Priscilla Lopes-Schliep. Jones, who added to the world indoor title that she won in Doha in March, also saw off the attentions of compatriot Virginia Powell-Crawford who came third.

"I had a terrible start. I hit some hurdles so I was shocked at the end to see that I'm the winner," said Jones. "I did not count on a win after such a beginning."

Elsewhere, world champion Christian Cantwell threw the best distance of the year to win the shot put. Cantwell set a meeting record with a throw of 21.82metres. But fellow world title holder Dani Samuels had to settle for silver in the women's discus, losing out to Cuba's Yarelis Barrios who threw 64.90metres.

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