STEPHAN NASSTROM IN STOCKHOLM

Asafa Powell capitalised on Usain Bolt's poor start and edged the world-record holder by one-hundredth of a second, leading from start to finish in the 100 metres at the DN Galan meet last night.

Powell, the former world-record holder, won their highly anticipated rematch in 9.88 seconds. Bolt rallied after his weak start to nearly catch his fellow Jamaican at the finish. Norwegian Jaysuma Saidy Ndure was third in 10.06.

The win was a measure of revenge for Powell, who lost to his close friend at Jamaica's Olympic Trials last month.

"I was really happy with the race," Powell said. "My goal was to win. My start was quick and fast. And the speed stayed with me through the finish. I'm really looking forward to the Olympics."

Bolt set the world record of 9.72 in New York on May 31, breaking Powell's mark of 9.74. It was Powell's third straight win at Olympic Stadium.

Last year, he won in 10.04. In 2006, he set the stadium record of 9.86.

Earlier, Dayron Robles missed his world 110m record by just 0.04 seconds, winning the race in 12.91. The Cuban, who set the world record last month in the Czech Republic, beat David Oliver (13.04) and Aries Merritt (13.33) into second and third respectively.

For setting a new Olympic Stadium record, Robles earned a one-carat diamond worth $10,000.

Robles' time was the fourth fastest in history, tied with Colin Jackson. Liu Xiang of China ran a 12.88 and Dominique Arnold of the US clocked 12.90 in 2006.

Jeremy Wariner, the Olympic champion, won his third straight 400m race, but failed to improve the stadium record he set last year. The American slowed near the finish and crossed in 44.29. It was 0.39 off his meet record that earned him a diamond last year.

Running in nearly perfect conditions, Wariner took the lead early in the one-lap race and was unchallenged the rest of the way. "I went for victory today," he said. "It's a good winning time. Now I'm going home for tough training before the Olympics."

Chris Brown of the Bahamas finished second in 44.53 and Ricardo Chambers of Jamaica third in 44.84.

Abubaker Kaki, a 19-year-old from Sudan, picked up the first diamond of the evening by winning the men's 1000m in 2:13.93.