World 100 metres bronze medallist Asafa Powell (left), world 100 metres hurdles champion Brigitte Foster-Hylton (centre) and 400 metres silver medallist Shericka Williams pose for the camera in the VIP lounge at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston on Saturday night. - JIS photo

Former world 100m record holder, Asafa Powell, says by following in the footsteps of MVP Track and Field Club teammate Brigitte Foster-Hylton, he learnt this season to believe more in himself.

Powell arrived in the island on Saturday night after competing internationally for the past months, including in the World Champion-ships in Berlin, Germany.

Pointing to remarks posted on his Facebook, page, Powell thanked Jamaicans for their support, saying "you are the ones who keep me going".

New inspiration

He added: "Whenever I go on Facebook, I get messages from several people saying keep going, you are the best, we believe in you and if so much people believe in me, it's now for me to believe in myself.

"I just need to believe that it can happen. Brigitte (Foster-Hylton) proved it, you just have to keep pushing and one day it will come. So Brigitte is my new inspiration," he said.

"I used to say Brigitte trains too hard and I am not going to train so hard, but now that I see it has paid off, I just have to follow in her footsteps," Powell noted of Foster-Hylton's recent performances, which included seven straight victories, topped by a dream gold in the women's 100m hurdles at the World Championships in August.

Powell also reminisced on Berlin and his coach, Stephen Francis, saying how he "looked a completely different person".

"He told me to relax and be myself ... I just decided to be myself in that 100m final and it's the best performance I have ever got in my life.

"If I had done that from 2004, I would have been the gold medallist in Olympics and World Championships," added Powell.

Meanwhile, Shericka Williams, the 400m silver medallist and Foster-Hylton also arrived on the same flight.

Foster-Hylton, the first Jamaican woman to win a sprint hurdles final at a major championships, described her season as "fantastic".

"It's amazing. I am proud to have represented Jamaica well," she said, thanking all Jamaicans for their support.

Williams thanked God for taking her through an injury-free season, adding "I had a wonderful season.

"It could be greater, but nothing doesn't come until it's time. But I am going to stay out there, hold the faith, go home rest and train harder for next year."