'If he got it right, you were in trouble!' -Usain Bolt on why Asafa Powell was the only athlete who ever worried him

Usain Bolt on why Asafa Powell was the only athlete who used to leave him sweating.

Throughout his legendary sprinting career, Usain Bolt was known for his supreme confidence and dominance over the 100 meters. 

However, the Jamaican sprint icon has now admitted that there was one athlete who always made him nervous before races—fellow countryman Asafa Powell.

Speaking on Justin Gatlin’s Ready Set Go podcast, Bolt recalled the intense rivalry leading up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, a period when Powell was considered one of the top sprinters in the world. 

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Despite Bolt’s rapid ascent in 2008, which saw him break the world record with a 9.72-second run in New York, Powell was still seen as a formidable competitor.

At the 2008 Jamaican Olympic Trials in Kingston, Bolt and Powell faced off in one of the most anticipated races of the season. Bolt emerged victorious, clocking 9.85 seconds, while Powell finished second in 9.97 seconds.

 This performance cemented Bolt’s status as the favorite for Beijing, but even then, Powell remained on his mind heading into the Games.

During the podcast, Bolt shared a humorous moment from the Olympic final preparations involving American sprinter Walter Dix, who would go on to win the bronze medal.

“We ran the semi-finals together, and I ran like 9.8,” Bolt said. “He came second, I think, and when we were walking in, he was like, ‘There ain’t going to be jogging in the finals! There ain’t going to be jogging in the finals!’”

Bolt, however, was unfazed. “I looked at him like, ‘What?’ It was funny because, no disrespect to him, but he never worried me. For me, I was worried about Asafa because I needed to catch him. I was not worried about Dix.”

What made Asafa Powell a threat

Powell was renowned for his explosiveness out of the blocks and his smooth, efficient sprinting style. His technique, which prioritized a quick reaction and controlled acceleration, made him one of the best starters in 100-meter history. 

Powell’s reaction time and early acceleration off the blocks  often put him ahead in races. His powerful strides allowed him to take control from the first 30 meters.

Unlike Bolt, who had a higher knee lift, Powell ran with a low, controlled stride. The 2016 Olympic champion’s  top-end speed was elite, and his effortless running style made him difficult to overtake. However, he sometimes lacked the final push needed to separate from the field.

Despite Powell’s strengths, Bolt knew that his own top-end speed gave him an advantage if he was still in contention at the 50-meter mark.

“Asafa was the only one who was like, if he got it right, you are in trouble. That was the only person I was worried about in the race because he can get it done,” Bolt admitted.

He continued, “If I am there in the race at 50 meters, I am going to win. I know that much because I know my top-end speed is that good. I needed to get my start right, that was my biggest issue because in the season, I could tell where I was and how good my top-end was.”

While Bolt ultimately dominated the sport, winning multiple Olympic and world championship titles, his rivalry with Powell played a crucial role in pushing him to greater heights. ‘

In the end, Bolt may have been the superior sprinter in terms of titles and records, but Powell’s presence ensured that he never took anything for granted before stepping onto the track.