Asafa Powell of Jamaica broke his own world record in the 100 metres Sunday, running it in 9.74 seconds at a meet in Rieti, Italy.

The 24-year-old Powell, who set the new record in one of the two heats to reach the 100-metre final, shaved .03 seconds off his previous mark of 9.77, which he has run on three occasions.

Asafa Powell shaved .03 seconds off his own 100-metre world record Sunday in Rieti, Italy.
"That's what happens when I start to listen to the coach," said Powell, who appeared to ease before the finish line.

The heat was run with a strong tailwind, but it was below the maximum allowed by the IAAF, making the record valid.

Rieti is known for a fast track on which six middle-distance world records have been set. Powell said he was attracted to the meet after a disappointing showing at the world championships in August in Osaka, Japan. Powell placed third in the 100 there, behind Tyson Gay of the U.S. and Derrick Atkins of the Bahamas.

Powell first set the world record of 9.77 in June 2005 in Athens, Greece. He matched the time in June 2006, and again in August of that year.

Justin Gatlin equalled the mark in May 2006, but the American faces a suspension of up to eight years following a positive doping test for testosterone and other steroids at the Kansas Relays a month earlier.