Asafa Powell ran 9.77 to equal the 100 metres world record on Sunday at the IAAF Grand Prix in Gateshead.

Asafa Powell poses by a score board after he ran 9.77 seconds at the British Grand Prix on Sunday, June 11, 2006, to equal the 100-meter world record he holds with Justin Gatlin. (Photo source: sina.com)

The big Jamaican broke Maurice Greene's old record of 9.79 when he ran 9.77 in Athens last year. American Justin Gatlin then ran the same time in Doha last month.

"I came out here to show them I'm back to where I started last year and I'm going to pick up this season from now on," Powell said.

He added: "As I said, I can run as fast as I want when I want. I told them I would do my best here and I didn't let them down. My coach is not all that happy because in the end I didn't do what he told me to do but I am going to work on that and come back."

Powell's fellow countryman Michael Frater came in second in 10.06 while Britain's Dwain Chambers was third in 10.07 in his first race back since returning from a drugs ban.

Powell and Gatlin are due to race against eachother in London on July 28.