Asafa Powell clocks 9.72 at Athletissima

Asafa Powell equalled the second-fastest 100-metre sprint in history Tuesday at the Athletissima Grand Prix in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Powell clocked 9.72 seconds, matching the previous world record set in May by fellow Jamaican Usain Bolt, who lowered it to 9.69 at the Beijing Olympics. 

Powell's time was a personal best, but he still felt the sting of finishing fifth at Beijing. 

"I'm very happy," Powell said. "It is a bit late, but I'm very happy after all that I have been through this year."

"He did well tonight and I congratulate him," Bolt said of Powell, who won the race over runner-up Walter Dix of the United States (9.92) and Jamaica's Nesta Carter (9.98).

Bolt, meanwhile, posted a winning time of 19.63 in Tuesday's 200 metres, 0.33 off the world mark he set at Beijing.

The lanky 22-year-old pulled ahead of the pack on the bend and straightened up over the final 15 metres.

"It was a good time," Bolt said. "But I have made history now, so a lot of people are looking to me for big times and great things.

"I'm always going out to do my best, but it has been a long season and I trailed off tonight because I want to stay injury free right the way to the season's end."

Churandy Martina of the Netherlands Antilles placed second (20.24) behind Bolt, followed by Wallace Spearmon of the U.S. in third (20.54).

Lopes-Schliep finishes 5th

Olympic bronze medallist Priscilla Lopes-Schliep of Whitby, Ont., finished fifth in the women's 100-metre hurdles in 12.88 seconds.

Delloreen Ennis-London, who placed fifth in the hurdles at Beijing, won the race in 12.60, edging out Olympic gold medallist Dawn Harper of the U.S. by 0.03.

Perhaps the biggest surprise was favoured Dayron Robles of Cuba tasting defeat in the men's 110-metre hurdles.

Robles, the Olympic gold medallist, hit two of the final three hurdles — knocking the last one down — in losing to American David Oliver (13.03).

"He has beaten me three times this year; I have beaten him twice," said Oliver, who won the bronze at Beijing.

"Always, I was capable of running well. When you come out here and perform, that is the big thing."