Born: November 23, 1982
Country: Jamaica
Weight: 87 kg
Height: 188 cm
Event: Track and Field
Asafa Powell is the new kid in the block who is stealing all the limelight from his role model, reigning World and Olympic champion, Maurice Greene.
Powell remains undefeated this season, clocked 9.91 seconds -- the fastest time ever on British soil -- to win the 100m at the London Grand Prix meet in July.
At last year's world championships in Paris, he was disqualified in a quarter-final heat of the 100m for a false start. But he has not looked back yet and is the growing favourite to clinch the gold at the Summer Games.
If his first win at London was labelled as a fluke then he proved it wrong at the Weltklasse Golden League meet in August when he came from behind to win in 9.93 seconds ahead of Greene who clocked 9.94. His perfect run has further establishing himself as a top contender for the Olympics.