PORT-OF-SPAIN (CMC):

One of the most eagerly anticipated sprint showdowns in local track and field history takes place this weekend, at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.

The men's 100-metre dash is the blue riband event at the SAGICOR National Open Track and Field Championships, and local star Darrel Brown is the reigning champion.

Richard Thompson, Marc Burns and Aaron Armstrong are all gunning for Brown's crown.

The SAGICOR century will have added flavour in 2008 with the inclusion of Brown's UTech/MVP Track Club training partner Asafa Powell, the second fastest human being in history.

Powell, though, will not be on show in Friday's preliminaries. The 2007 World Championship 100m bronze medallist has been given a bye into today's semi-final round. The winner of each preliminary round heat and the seven 'fastest losers' will join Powell in the semis.

Powell is returning to competition, following an injury layoff. The 25-year-old Jamaican hurt his shoulder earlier in the season.

"I'm ready to run. I'm in great shape. My coach has been going through a lot of stuff so I just want to go out there and put what I'm doing in practice on the track."