He can’t walk the streets in his hometown of Kingston, Jamaica, without being mobbed by autograph seekers and adoring fans.
He recently signed a hefty endorsement contract.
You might expect Asafa Powell to be a self-centered snob. Think again.
“He’s as humble a world-record holder as there’s ever been,” says Paul Doyle, Powell’s agent and friend. “He wants to know ‘Why does everyone want to talk to me?’ It’s difficult for him at times. But he hasn’t let it go to his head.”
Fast, famous and humble. It’s a rare mix in today’s sports.
But Asafa, 25, isn’t your usual world-record holder. Raised in a Christian home—both his parents pastor the church he was raised in—Asafa understands the value of humility and the frailty of pride.
“You have to give God thanks,” Asafa says. “He’s the one carrying me day by day. I have to glorify Him.”
Dreams
Asafa was inspired to run track by his 11th grade P.E. teacher, Mrs. Fraser. In his high school yearbook, Asafa wrote that he’d one day be the world’s fastest man.
“I didn’t know what else to write,” Asafa says sheepishly. “I was the fastest guy in school.”
But after high school, Asafa wasn’t sure of his potential. He went to college to become a mechanical engineer so he could design cars. Then he won major international meets.
Asafa broke the 100-meter world record the first time in June 2005, posting 9.77 seconds. He equaled his record twice in 2006 and broke it again in September 2007 with a 9.74 in Italy. Thirty-three times he’s run the 100 meters in under 10 seconds.
But Asafa isn’t overly impressed by his accomplishments. When asked what his favorite sports moment is, he shrugs and says, “I’m not sure.”
When asked his favorite Bible verse, he quickly says “Philippians 4:13. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Rooted
Asafa’s life hasn’t been all blessings since his track career made him famous. Two of his five older brothers died in the United States. One was shot in 2002 while driving a taxi in New York. Another brother died in 2003 of a heart attack. As a result, Asafa felt responsible to be near his parents and decided to train in Jamaica.
“I also wanted to show you can stay in Jamaica and do something,” Asafa says.
When he’s not competing around the world, Asafa attends his parents’ church and plays guitar or drums with the choir.
“Money hasn’t changed me. Fame hasn’t changed me,” Asafa says. “I’m the way I was brought up: being humble. I just try not to change.”
Asafa’s advice to aspiring runners is to train tirelessly. He runs six days a week, twice a day. His advice to Christians is to pray tirelessly. “Prayer is what keeps us going,” Asafa says. “That’s the key to it.” 
