Powell smiling again after relay surge

OSAKA, Japan (Reuters) - Asafa Powell was smiling again after anchoring Jamaica to the quickest time of the year in the men's 4x100 meters heats at the world championships on Friday.

The world record holder was beaten by American rival Tyson Gay in the 100m final last weekend, finishing with the bronze and admitting after the race he had choked under the pressure.

But Powell looked a completely different man in the first round of 4x100 relay heats, erasing a sizeable lead at the final changeover to streak past American Leroy Dixon, bringing Jamaica home in 38.02 seconds.

Powell, who holds the world record of 9.77 over 100m, immediately targeted a new best on Saturday in the relay after driving the Jamaican team to a new national record.

"That national record is going to stand for a long time," smiled Powell. "The world record (37.4) is within reach. You know we can break that world record if we do what we did today."

The American team finished behind the Jamaicans in a 38.10 with hosts Japan third fastest in the opening round in an Asian record of 38.21.

The men's 4x100m final takes place on Saturday.