Asafa Powell ran the 100 metres in 9.99 seconds into a strong headwind on Sunday at the Rieti Grand Prix — on the same track where the Jamaican star set a then-world record of 9.74 two years ago.
Powell was hoping to improve on his season best of 9.84 that placed him third at last month's world championships in Berlin, where fellow Jamaican Usain Bolt set the current world record of 9.58.
Powell won just two days after outdueling American Tyson Gay in the 100 at the Van Damme Memorial in Brussels.
He beat compatriot and training partner Nesta Carter, who was the runner-up in a time of 10.08. Simeon Williamson of Britain crossed third in 10.18 at the Italian track event.
The wind registered minus 1.5 metres.
"It was a very strong wind," Powell said. "When I saw the wind blowing today, I was, like, 'It's not going to be a fast race'."
In 2007, Powell set his world record in the semifinals. He also won in Rieti last year.
Powell believes he can still challenge Bolt.
"To be running these fast times is outstanding. He really needs some strong competition — he's running 9.5 — so we need to get there, too, to put on a good show," said Powell. "Before, I was the man to beat. Now, I have someone in front of me, so I really have to push myself."
Powell now will return to his in-season training base in northern Italy to prepare for the season finals in Greece.
Kerron Stewart, the Olympic and world silver medallist in the 100, won the 200 in 22.62, with Berlin 400 runner-up Shericka Williams crossing second in 22.69.
American sprinter Wallace Spearmon won the men's 200 in 20.27 at the Raul Guidobaldi stadium.
In perhaps the outstanding performance of the night, Kenya's David Rudisha clocked 1:42.01 in the 800 to break Sammy Koskei's 25-year-old African record of 1:42.28 and register the best time of the year.
The 20-year-old Rudisha was eliminated in the semifinals at the worlds last month on a cold and rainy evening.
"I had problems with the cold, so it's good to know that I'm in form," Rudisha said.
The entire Berlin podium on hand in the women's 1,500 and the top two places swapped hands with Britain's Lisa Dobriskey passing world champion Maryam Yusuf Jamal of Bahrain two strides before the finish, winning in 4:01.23.
