Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

World 100m record holder Asafa Powell lays on the track after winning the men's 100m final at the Puma/Supreme Ventures National Senior and Junior Athletics Championships at the National Stadium on Saturday, while meet officials look on. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Despite picking up a groin injury at last Saturday's Supreme Ventures National Championships, Asafa Powell's manager Paul Doyle remains confident that the star athlete will regain his fitness to compete at the 11th IAAF World Championships in Osaka, Japan.

Powell injured his groin during the 100m final and it was clear as he struggled during the last 40 metres of the race, which he won in 10.04 seconds.

OPTIMISTIC

According to Powell's manager, Paul Doyle: "He (Powell) doesn't feel it (what happened) was much of an injury."

Doyle, speaking to The Gleaner in a telephone interview from the United States yesterday evening, added: "He is optimistic that it is nothing serious and that he will be ready to compete at the World Championships."

Powell was scheduled to leave the island between today and tomorrow with other members of the Maximum Velocity Performance (MVP) track club, but his departure will be delayed.

He will also miss the next Golden League Meeting in Paris on July 6, which automatically rules him out of a share of the US$1m jackpot prize money, which he shared last year.

Further, Doyle pointed out: "There is a possibility that he will remain in Jamaica to get his injury assessed a little more closely and get a scan. We are taking it one step at a time while figuring it out (travel arrangements), but he will still do the rest of the Golden League that we have tentatively planned."

In fact, he says Powell could return to training later this week.

MAKING SURE SHE'S READY

Meanwhile, Sherone Simpson, who missed the National Championships is, according to Doyle, "very close to being able to run again".

However, he said: "We want to be very cautious and make sure she is ready to (run); wait until probably the middle of July or so."

Simpson, the fastest woman in the world over 100m (10.82) and 200m (22.00) last year, may likely return to competition at the July 15 Norwich Union British Grand Prix in Sheffield, Great Britain.

Also, Brigitte Foster-Hylton, another MVP athlete who was also a late non-starter at the weekend's Championships due to injury, will be leaving the island between today and tomorrow to get treatment.

"She is travelling to get some treatment on her hip and hamstring," added Doyle, who also said she will be "taking all the necessary steps to get back on the track".

Meanwhile, World Championships silver medallist, Michael Frater, who did not qualify for the final of the 100m, is also said to be on the injury list.

"He is going to be fine, the hip was not good enough for him to sprint a 100 per cent at National Championships," said Doyle. "I have no doubt that he will be coming back and running fast."