Powell eases to 100m victory

MELBOURNE, Mar 20 (Reuters) World record holder Asafa Powell powered to his first major title today with victory in the Commonwealth Games men's 100 metres final and said he would have no problem running under 10 seconds. The burly Jamaican stormed clear to finish in 10.03 seconds but eased up over the closing stages so that his record of 9.77 was never under threat.

''I can run sub-10 any time but I'm just not ready,'' Powell said after his win.

Nigerian Soji Fasuba claimed silver in a time of 10.11 and Marc Burns of Trinidad and Tobago the bronze in 10.17.

Powell burst clear after about 20 metres and was never threatened in a commanding performance, dispelling any lingering fears of a groin injury that had kept him out of competition since last July.

''I'm pleased. I didn't want to push too hard because I'm just coming off an injury,'' he said.

Powell early survived a nervous semi-final that saw the disqualification of compatriot Michael Frater and Briton Mark Lewis-Francis.

REUTERS DH KN1705