Asafa Powell drives towards the finish line at yesterday's Queen's School/Grace Jackson Invitational (left) and Sherone Simpson runs towards the finish line at yesterday's Invitational at the National Stadium East complex (right). - Photos by Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

WORLD 100-METRE record holder Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson, the world's fastest woman, opened their 2007 seasons with impressive 400m performances at yesterday's Queen's/Grace Jackson Invitational meet held at the National Stadium East complex.

Powell, who started the 400m time-final event out of lane four, brought the entire crowd to its feet as soon as the gun went off.

He went out hard and by the time he reached the backstretch all his rivals were chasing. However, over the final few metres he found things more challenging into the strong headwind.

In the end, the Commonwealth Games 100m champion held off his rivals to win his heat in 47.67 seconds, which placed him fourth overall.

Mario Forsythe (47.42), Chumaie Fitten (46.60) and Leford Green (47.61) finished ahead of Powell.

"I went out as planned, but I did not finish as I wanted to because when I got into the straight the wind was too strong," Powell said. "The first 300m was the better part of the race," he said.

Pleased

Though not thrilled to be running the one-lap event, Powell said he was pleased with the time.

"That was my aim - to run 46 or 47 seconds, so I am happy with the end result," said the 2006 IAAF Male Athlete of the Year. Meanwhile, World Championships 100m silver medallist Michael Frater (50.40) and Trinidad & Tobago's Darrell Brown (50.08), who won the 100m silver medal at the 2003 World Championships, finished in 50.08, both ran in heat four.

Brown, who was running his very first 400m, said: "It wasn't as difficult as I thought, but it was a pretty tough race."

"First 400 ever, I found it to be a pretty good time although I wanted to run at least 49, but I will take 50 for now," he said.

Frater said: "I think I could run a lot faster today. It's not that I don't like to run the 400m, I don't know how to run a 400. So I just went out there and tried to do something. I went out there and ran a personal best, so it's just another building stone in a house," he said.

Jamaica's high jump record holder Germaine Mason, who now represents Great Britain, won his heat in a fairly good 49.30 while Ainsley Waugh took his in 48.67.

Winston Smith (49.60), André Wellington (49.68), both from MVP, were also part of the 400m set-up.

On the women's side, Simpson, the fastest woman in the world last season, won in 53.40 seconds.

She finished ahead of national teammates Brigitte Foster-Hylton (54.44) and Nyoka Cole (55.01).

Difficult

"It was very hard. That's what I can say about that race," Simpson said.

"It was difficult to run the entire 400m from start to finish," she said.

Foster-Hylton, who challenged Simpson right up to the last few metres, said: "The 400m is something I never really look forward to - but it's part of my programme and I did it because I have to do it."

South African Geraldine Pillay, the Commonwealth Games 100m and 200m silver and bronze medallist, respectively, finished seventh in 57.13 seconds.

"I am very happy that it is over," said Pillay, who said she was nervous going into her first 400m. "I wasn't as bad as anticipated I guess. My nerves really got hold of me, but once I started running it was kind of fun, but I don't think I will do this every Saturday."

See more on yesterday's meet in tomorrow's Gleaner