ATHLETICS: Asafa Powell claimed the world 100 metres record with a lightning victory in last night's Tsikilitira Super Grand Prix in Athens.

Powell bettered the record of 9.78 seconds set by Tim Montgomery in 2002, who in turn had surpassed the mark set by Maurice Greene of 9.79 on the same Olympic stadium track almost to the day in 1999.

The 22-year-old Jamaican trounced the field, scorching to a runaway success in 9.77 seconds - although he had to wait several minutes to hear the record was definitely his.

Initially the scoreboard showed, that with a helpful following wind of 1.6 metres per second, he had equalled the time achieved by Montgomery in Paris.

But just as in the other sprint races, the official electrical timing confirmed he was the new world record holder - the first non-American since Donovan Bailey won the 1996 Olympic gold medal for Canada.

Powell, who instantly drew well clear of runner-up Aziz Zakari of Ghana and his fellow countryman Michael Frater who clocked personal bests of 9.99 and 10.03, was elated with his stunning success.

It might never erase the disappointment of his last appearance on the Greek track, when he was fifth in last August's Olympic final after entering as favourite.

Despite that loss, Powell was still named world number one for the year after running nine legal sub-10 seconds races throughout the season.

"Nothing makes up for the Olympics, but this was showing the world I could have done it," said Powell after failing to win a medal in the most important race of his life.

"I never got the chance then, but I did it tonight," said Powell, whose showing clearly indicates he will go to August's World Championships with bags of self-confidence.