Bolt wins the battle for Jamaican supremacy

 
Bolt, who holds the record with 9.69 seconds set at the Beijing Games last year, ran home in 9.86 against a negative wind at the National stadium to post the year's fastest non-assisted time.

Powell, who was quicker out of the blocks, was second in 9.97 ahead of Michael Frater (10.02).

Gay ran a speedy, albeit wind-assisted 9.75 seconds in his first 100 metres of the season at the US World Championship trials in Eugene on Thursday, and said after the race that he felt he could break Bolt's record if he could improve his start.

"Personally, no disrespect to Tyson but that is going to be a hard for task for him," Bolt told reporters.

"Tyson is more of a 200 runner than a 100 runner, so it is going to be very hard. He had a lot of (wind) assistance for that time. It is going to be very hard for him."

Gay failed to qualify for the finals at Beijing after injury hampered his preparations, but he is set for a showdown with Bolt in the World Championships in Berlin in August.

Bolt overtook Powell midway through the race and had enough of a lead to finish with some ease in front of a cheering crowd. "It was good. I am just happy that I finished injury-free and I am feeling good," he said.

Bolt said that Powell, who has struggled with a left ankle injury since April, looked to be on his way back.

"I would say Asafa is coming into shape and that is a good thing, his ankle is getting better. It is going to be a good season, as soon as he gets into shape its going to be very interesting," said Bolt.

In the women's 100 metres, Beijing gold medal-winner Shelly-Ann Fraser produced an impressive 10.88 to outpace Kerron Stewart (10.93) with Sheri-Ann Brooks some way back with 11.16.

Olympic 100 metres silver medallist Sherone Simpson, in her first race after knee surgery, failed to make it to the finals after finishing fifth in her heat and will not make the World Championship squad.