(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-09-15 05:52

BRUSSELS - Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell failed in his bid for a second 100 metres world record in less than a week although he still powered his way to victory at the Van Damme Golden League meeting on Friday.

Powell, who broke his own world record with a time of 9.74 seconds in Italy last Sunday, finished in 9.84 after a restart following a mistake by Briton Marlon Devonish out of the blocks.

Norway's Jaysuma Saidy Ndure was second in 10.11 seconds with Powell's compatriot Michael Frater third (10.12).

American Sanya Richards remained in contention for the Golden League jackpot when she cruised to a season's best of 49.36 seconds in the women's 400 metres.

The U.S. athlete, who failed to make the final at the world championships in Osaka last month, outclassed Britain's world silver medallist Nicola Sanders who finished second again.

Victory for Richards in Berlin on Sunday will see her secure at least part of the $1 million Golden League prize.

Russian pole-vaulter Yelena Isanbayeva who was still competing later on Friday, is the only other athlete still in the frame for the jackpot.

Earlier, Ethiopia's Meseret Defar set a women's two-mile world best of eight minutes 58.58 seconds to beat her own world mark of nine minutes 10.47 seconds which she ran in May.