Raising Asafa Powell, once world's fastest man

 The Reverends William and Cislyn Powell are the proud parents of Jamaica's track star, Asafa Powell. But he is more than a star in his parents' eyes. They painted a picture of a son whose ambitions and dreams they share.

As a child, Asafa was quiet and shy. "We understand him and so we coped with him," his mother said.

The youngest of six boys, Asafa would entertain himself. His mother told a story how, as a young boy, Asafa made a little cart and drove himself around in it.

As an adult, he is known for his shyness. That is a quality that has been with him since boyhood. His shyness sometimes concerns his dad who admits to praying for the track star that he might overcome this disposition, especially during the Beijing Olympics.

Cislyn fondly remembers his loving nature and his willingness to do chores around the house.

"He was very helpful and could fix things. If the light went, he could fix the light. He's very sensible," she said.

Asafa wasn't a troublemaker, his father said. "I don't remember beating him. If he was in trouble, he'd say, 'Daddy, wha me do now'?"

Asafa, his dad proudly disclosed, has always been honest and open in discussing any subject with his parents. His son, he said with pride, is a good boy and has goals.

As much as the travelled road hasn't been smooth for Asafa, it hasn't been for William either. The elder Powell spoke of the time when his spirits sank. It was the final of the 100 metres for men at the Athens Olympics in 2004.

"I don't know why ... it seemed like there was so much pressure on him. It was the saddest time of my life," William saidl.

When Asafa doesn't do as well as hoped in important races, his parents try to understand where he is coming from. "You can't kill a man when something goes wrong. You have to just let him be," the father said.

When Asafa left Charlemont High School in St Catherine, according to his dad, he wrote a bit of a prophecy in his school's yearbook. "He wrote that he was going to be the fastest man in the world."

These are the things that the Powell parents always remember while they encourage their son to be a champion.

Aside from track and field, Asafa's interests includes mechanics, business and cars - especially cars.

"He loves that (cars)," William said, clasping his hands and nodding.

Asafa once told his mother that he wanted to buy a Pajero for his dad. His father recounted the story: "His mother said, 'Where are you going to get the money?' and he said, 'I'm going to run'."

Well, the clergyman did not get his Pajero. But he quipped, "I got a CRV ... the Honda parked outside."

The husband and wife co-pastors encourage the people in their Angels community in St Catherine to support their offspring, especially by praying and keeping the faith.

"I am very proud of him and we're excited," Cislyn said.

According to William, the time to celebrate Asafa's success is still yet to come.

"We know at the appointed time, people will be ready with pan and everything to knock. We'll just wait on that day," he said.