Powell Places Second In 400 Metres Test

He failed to medal in the 100 metres, finishing fifth as compatriot Usain Bolt lowered the world record to 9.69 seconds

Former world 100 metres record holder Asafa Powell of Jamaica opened his 2009 outdoor season by running 47.75 seconds to place second overall in a 400 metres competition on Saturday.

"Training has been going good and I am in good shape," Powell told reporters after participating in the Queen's/Grace Jackson Invitational.

The race was a tune-up for Powell and his first competition since anchoring Jamaica's 4x100 relay team to a world record at the Beijing Olympics in August.

He failed to medal in the 100 metres, finishing fifth as compatriot Usain Bolt lowered the world record to 9.69 seconds

"This year I know that the only person that I will have to struggle with is me," said Powell.