Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

( L - R ) Tyson Gay, Asafa Powell

Monte Carlo, Monaco:

AMERICAN Tyson Gay, who on Sunday was officially crowned the male World Athlete of the Year, has warned that next year will not be a one-man spirit show, adding he believes Jamaican Asafa Powell will be 'mentally ready'.

Asked what can be expected of their clashes Gay, who recently won the United States' Track & Field Jesse Owens Award, replied: "I believe a lot of fast times. I really believe Asafa is mentally prepared for 2008, considering his 9.74 and my 9.84.

"I am really looking forward to run 9.7 myself. I had done it twice wind-aided (9.76-2.2; 9.79-2.5), but with the right condition I can do it."

Over the past few seasons, Jamaica's 100m world record holder Asafa Powell blazed the track with some fascinating runs, which included the world's best marks of 9.74 (2007), 9.77 - three times (2005 and 2006), 9.78 (2007), 9.83 (2007), 9.84 - twice (2005 & 2007).

Pressure is on

Despite these times, along with 9.91 in 2004, which took him into the Olympic Games as the favourite, and also again at last August's Osaka World Champion-ships with 9.77, Powell was beaten by Americans Justin Gatlin and Tyson Gay, respectively.

Gay was beaten five times by Powell in 2006 but his World Championship success in Osaka has changed the complexion of their battles and in response to the question of who'll be under pressure in the lead-up to the Olympics next year, Gay said "both of us".

"It's an Olympic year. In 2007 we won our first World Championship medals, so we will be both going for the gold in Beijing, on the biggest stage ever, so we both will be under pressure," Gay told The Gleaner on Sunday, quickly adding "... and I don't want to (lose to him) at all."

In 2007, the world's top sprinters had only met once - at the Wold Championships. But according to Gay, it was "really because of small injuries here and there. My knee was affecting me when we could have raced in London or Lausanne," he added.

"I believe we miss each other, but I believe next year it will be better," he said while indicating he wants more clashes between himself and Powell.

Gay, who, along with Ethiopian Meseret Defar, took the top awards at the IAAF Gala on Sunday night, promised fireworks in 2008, especially since he doesn't want to lose to Powell.