RIETI, Italy — Asafa Powell bettered his world record in the 100 meters Sunday, running 9.74 seconds at the Rieti Grand Prix.

The Jamaican set the mark in the second of two heats to reach the 100 final.

"That's what happens when I start to listen to the coach," said Powell, who appeared to ease up before the finish line.

Powell lowered the mark by 0.03 seconds, having run 9.77 three times.

The heat was run with a strong tail wind, but it was below the maximum allowed by the IAAF, making the record valid.

Jaysuma Saidy Ndure of Norway was second in the heat in 10.07, followed by Kim Collins of St. Kitts and Nevis in 10.14. The final was set for later Sunday.

Powell finished third in the 100 last month at track and field's world championships in Osaka, Japan. Rieti is known for a fast track on which six middle-distance world records have been set. Powell said he was attracted by the quick track as he sought to bounce back from his disappointing performance at the worlds.

Powell first set the world record of 9.77 in June 2005 in Athens, Greece. Justin Gatlin matched the time in May 2006, but the American faces a suspension of up to eight years following a positive doping test for testosterone and other steroids at the Kansas Relays a month earlier.

In June 2006, Powell again ran 9.77, and then did it a third time in August 2006.

But despite the fast times, Powell has struggled at major competitions, missing a medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics. At the worlds, he finished behind gold medalist Tyson Gay and Derrick Atkins, running 9.96. The bronze was Powell's first major medal.