Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell has broken his own world record in the 100 meters, running 9.74 seconds at the Rieti Grand Prix meet in Italy.
Powell's record time, in a qualifying heat, is 0.03 second faster than his previous best - the former world record time of 9.77 seconds, which he has run three times since 2005 , once in 2005 and twice in 2006.
Powell won the final at Rieti Sunday in 9.78 seconds, 0.05 second ahead of countryman Michael Frater.
At last month's World Athletics Championships in Osaka, Japan, Powell finished third as American Tyson Gay won 100 meters gold.
Several world champions were winners Sunday, including American Lauryn Williams in the women's 200 meters (22.76), Janeth Jepkosgei of Kenya in the women's 800 (1:56.29), Yargelis Savigne of Cuba in the women's triple jump (14.92m) and Irving Saladino of Panama in the men's long jump (8.31m).
Other winners were Belal Mansoor Ali of Bahrain in the men's 800 meters(1:44.02), Kenyan Thomas Pkemei Longosiwa in the 3,000 meters (7:32.79), and Ukraine's Denya Yurchenko in the pole vault (5.72m).
Among the women's winners were Australian Sally McLellan in the 100 meters (11:30), and Kenyan Vivian Cheruiyot in the 3,000 meters (8:30.25).
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.
