Chat-bout.net - 2013 likely to be make or break year for Powell

2013 likely to be make or break year for Powell

Agent Paul Doyle agrees that 2013 will be a crucial year for his client Asafa Powell, noting that the 30-year-old has been working hard to correct his injury concerns ahead of the season, which features the IAAF World Championships in Moscow.

Powell has not won an international medal since 2009 and has suffered injury setbacks at the last two major championships, but according to Doyle, Powell has certainly matured from his setbacks and is spending a lot of time with his coach Stephen Francis to ensure an injury-free season.

At the last World Championships in 2011, Powell was pulled at the last minute, while the 88-time sub-10 seconds sprinter struggled to finish the 100m final at last year's Olympic Games after another groin flare-up.

"I think like every year, this is a crucial year for Asafa," Doyle told Star Sports.

"We hope that his luck will be better this year.

"He (Powell) is spending a lot of time with the coach to put in a very good rehab programme to prevent his groin from getting injured again, so I think every year he is getting better and better as an athlete, in terms of doing the things he needs to do to stay healthy," Doyle added during a telephone interview, before pointing to what he thinks is his athlete's increased maturity.

"This year being the World Championships, there will be a lot of focus on that. It's not as if the competition in Jamaica has gotten any easier, but then again, he is well, he is more mature and focused on what he is doing," said Doyle.

Excited

The 2006 Commonwealth Games champion and two-time World Championships 100m bronze medallist was yesterday confirmed for the $3.8 million March 29 - April 1 Stawell Gift meet in Australia.

"It's something that we have been trying to get done for years and Asafa is excited to get over there and compete," said Doyle, who also noted that his client will be skipping the indoor season this year.

"Asafa is not doing that this year. There is no reason in particular; last year he was just trying something new, doing something different and having some fun with it, but that was really all that it was intended to do," Doyle added.

"He may do some of the early Jamaican races but I don't think he and the coach have decided on what they will do yet, but he will definitely be going to Australia," said Doyle.

Jamaica Star

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