Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell has broken his own world record in the 100 metres after clocking 9.74 seconds at the Rieti Grand Prix.
Powell 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 cruise over the finish line.
Despite the heat being run with a strong tail wind, it was below the maximum permitted by the IAAF, allowing the record to stand.
In the final, Powell won in 9.78. Michael Frater of Jamaica was second in 10.03, followed by Jaysuma Saidy Ndure of Norway in 10.10.
In the heat, Ndure was second to Powell in 10.07, and Kim Collins of St. Kitts and Nevis was third in 10.14.
Powell, who has run 9.77 three times, finished third in the 100 last month at the world athletics championships in Osaka, Japan.
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.
Struggling for titles
But despite the string of fast times, Powell has consistently struggled to get results at major competitions, missing out on 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.
Rieti is known for a fast track which has seen six middle-distance world records.
Powell said he was attracted by the quick track as he sought to bounce back from the disappointing result at the worlds.