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Asafa Powell captures IAAF Top Award Monte Carlo, Monaco – World 100m record holder Asafa Powell broke another barrier in Jamaica's athletics this time becoming the first Jamaican to be voted IAAF's Male Athlete of the Year - 2006.

Powell won the men's title after twice equaling his world record of 9.77 seconds in the 100 meters. Another Jamaican-born, Sanya Richards, who broke Valerie Brisco's American 400-meter record, won the female crown.

"It is a major accomplishment to realize that people recognize the hard work that I put in the sport and they actually vote for me," said Powell, who walked away with US$100,000 (JA$6.6million).

Powell, who defeated the challenge of Lithuanian discus thrower Virgilijus Alekna - the two-time World and Olympic champion - and hurdler Liu Xiang of China, said this award means a lot for Jamaica.

"It means a lot for Jamaica and everyone who supported me," he said. "It's more motivation for me to come back better next year," said the man who ran a record 12-sub-10 second times over 100 metres in 2006.

Apart from running a record 12 sub-10 seconds times in 2006, the first time a sprinter has secured more than 10 in one season, Powell has also created history by becoming the first male to end a Golden League Season unbeaten.

In addition to his sub-10 seconds times of 9.77 (twice), 9.85 (twice), 9.86 (twice), 9.89, 9.91, 9.95, 9.96, 9.98 and 9.99, Powell opened the season with a Commonwealth Games title, and ended with the World Athletics Final crown.

"Zurich (ran 9.77 on August 18) is definitely the best memory of my 2006 season. It's a race that I won't forget," Powell said. "Brussels is also another good moment. ... It would have been another world record if I hadn't had such a bad start."

On the women's side, Powell's teammate and training partner, Sherone Simpson lost out for the Female Athlete of the Year and Performance of the Year awards.

Though he would have preferred his countrywoman Sherone Simpson - who along with Ethiopian distance runner Meseret Defar, the Olympic champion in 5,000 metres, was in line for the female award - to win, Powell said:

"I wish Sherone would be up there with me, but to be there with Sanya is the same, because she is a Jamaican."

"To have done it and to be sharing the stage with Asafa Powell, who I think is not only a great athlete, but a great person, is just an amazing accomplishment for me, and I am really, really, excited about it," said the former Immaculate High and Vaz Prep athlete. These two Jamaicans must be proud of her.

Simpson was also beaten for the Performance of the Year award, which went to Meseret Defar (ETH) for breaking the 5000m World Record in New York City.

The men's Performer of the Year award went China's Xiang for running 12.88 at the IAAF Super Grand Prix in Lausanne to become the outright holder of the 110m hurdles World Record.

Other awards: Margus Hunt of Estonia collected the Rasing Star award, while Ethiopian Woldemeskel Kostre was named Coach of the Year. Three-time Male Athlete of the Year Hicham El Guerrouj of Maraca, Stefka Kostadinova of Belgium and Jan Zelezny of Czech Republic were all presented with Distinguished Career Awards.