Veronica Campbell (right) of Jamaica on her way to win the women's 100 metres at the 2007 Shanghai Golden Grand Prix track and field event in China yesterday. Campbell won in a time of 10.90. At left is Lauryn Williams of the U.S., who placed fourth. - AP

SHANGHAI, China (CMC)

World record holder, Jamaican Asafa Powell, was an unusual entry in the 200 metres, but the outcome was rather familiar as he breezed to victory at the Shanghai Golden Grand Prix yesterday.

After noting that his manager Paul Doyle had surprisingly carded him to run the event, Powell proceeded to breeze to a comfortable win in 20 seconds flat, to leave American Rodney Martin (20.29) and fellow Jamaican, Christopher Williams (20.39), in his wake.

The Netherland Antilles' Churan-dy Martina was fifth in 20.60 seconds with Antigua and Barbuda's Brendan Christian, the Pan American Games 200 metres champion, sixth in 20.62 seconds.

Powell's no-show in the 100 metres ensured that the much anticipated meeting with American - Tyson Gay, did not occur.

Second for gay

Gay, the reigning World champion after his victory over Powell in Osaka recently, finished second to fellow American Wallace Spearmon, the victor setting a meet record of 9.96 metres. The 25-year-old Gay was clocked at 10.02 seconds, while Jamaican Michael Frater crossed the line third in 10.07 seconds.

Jamaican Veronica Campbell, the 100 metres World champion, was also in winners' row, clocking a championship record of 10.90 seconds, to beat Jamaica-born American Sanya Richards into second place.

Richards, better known for her efforts over 400 metres, produced a personal best of 10.97 seconds, while Carmelita Jeter of the United States was third in 11.09 seconds.

Jamaica's Aleen Bailey was fifth in 11.27 seconds, while Bahamian Chandra Sturrup clocked 11.51 seconds to be sixth.

Cuban Dayron Robles stunned the home crowd by beating World and Olympic champion Xiang Liu in the 110 metres hurdles. Robles clocked a blistering 13.01 seconds, another top meet time, to beat Anwar Moore into second while Liu finished third. Just last weekend, Robles won the event at the World Athletics final in Stuggart, Germany, clocking a national record 12.92 seconds.