Powell looks for helping hand to world record

STUTTGART, Germany, Sep 8 (Reuters) Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell is hoping the challenge of an in-form Tyson Gay can help propel him to a 100 metres world record in Stuttgart tomorrow.

Powell has equalled his own record of 9.77 seconds twice this season and is the overwhelming favourite to win again this weekend at the two-day World Athletics Final.

Gay finished 0.10 seconds behind him at the Golden League meeting in Berlin last Sunday but the American is confident he can get a lot closer this time and that prospect suits Powell fine.

''If Tyson gets a good start he can really push me a lot more,'' Powell said at a news conference today.

''Normally I'm well ahead of the pack at 60 metres and I just relax.'' Powell picked up a 250,000 dollar bonus when he made it six wins from six Golden League meetings in Berlin and he will get another 100,000 dollar from organisers if he breaks the world record in Stuttgart.

Powell's performance provided him with a 22nd successive victory and an 11th legal sub-10 second run this season.

Gay knows he will need to run the race of his life to beat him on Saturday.

''I believe every athlete is beatable but I'll have to run the perfect race,'' he said.

''I have to concentrate on my start and get up next to him at 60 metres. Then it will be an exciting race.'' The men's 100 closes out the opening day of the two-day competition at the Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion in Stuttgart. The women's 100 is the final event on Sunday.

REUTERS AY KN1931