Lightning Liu strikes in rainy Shanghai
By Ni Yinbin |
May 20, 2012, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
LIU Xiang stormed to victory in the men's 110-meter hurdles at the Shanghai Diamond League meet last night in the rain, running an astonishing 12.97 seconds, the world's best this season.
It was the sixth time Liu went under 13 seconds in his career and he is the first hurdler to finish the 110 meters within 13 seconds in the past five years.
American David Oliver was second with a season's personal best time of 13.13. His compatriot Jason Richardson finished third in 13.16 seconds. World indoor champion Aries Merritt of the United States was fourth in 13.26 seconds.
"I didn't think I could finish under 13 seconds but when I looked at the clock which showed 12.97, I felt very happy," Liu said at the post-race press conference. "I would like to thank my rivals. Their existence was a stimulation to me."
The Shanghai native, who turns 29 in July, took off his jersey after crossing the finish line and basked in ecstasy with thousands of fans who came to support him in the rain.
"I'm not thinking about breaking the record, whether I am in good shape or not," Liu said. "It's everyone's dream."
Liu and Richardson had a good start and stepped over the first hurdle ahead of the others. Accelerating powerfully in between hurdles, Liu, in the fifth lane, soon overtook Richardson running beside him after the fourth hurdle, maintaining the lead until the end.
Both Richardson and Oliver said they were not surprised by Liu's victory.
"I'm pleased but not quite satisfied with the result," world champion Richardson said. "I'm surprised by the athletic culture here that the entire country is supporting one athlete. In America it is a little bit different."
Following last night's victory, Liu is upbeat ahead of his clash with Cuban rival Dayron Robles in Eugene, Oregon, next month. "I'm looking forward to the Eugene meet," Liu said. "Every hurdler is competitive. Dayron is the world record holder but I'm in no way inferior. He has a record of 12.87 and I also once broke the record in 12.88 seconds. David finished in 12.89 once. Jason is the world champion. Aries beat me in the indoors. I mean every hurdler is competitive."
Earlier, former world record holder Asafa Powell of Jamaica had an easy victory in the men's 100, winning in 10.02 seconds.
"It was a good result. Technically it was good," Powell said. "We did a lot of work in Jamaica. It's still two months to the Olympics. I am satisfied."
American Michael Rodgers and Jamaican Nesta Carter finished second and third. China's 22-year-old hope Su Bingtian was sixth in 10.31. Jamaican sprinters Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake skipped the meet.
Jamaica's Veronica Campbell-Brown defeated American Carmelita Jeter in the women's 200 in 22.50 seconds. The latter clocked 22.62, with Nigerian Blessing Okagbare finishing third in 22.71.
But there was heartbreak for Australia's Olympic pole-vault champion Steve Hooker, who bombed out after failing in his first three jumps at 5.30 meters. China's Yang Yansheng was the surprise winner, scaling 5.65 meters while German Bjorn Otto, who has the season-leading vault of 5.82, was second.
It was the sixth time Liu went under 13 seconds in his career and he is the first hurdler to finish the 110 meters within 13 seconds in the past five years.
American David Oliver was second with a season's personal best time of 13.13. His compatriot Jason Richardson finished third in 13.16 seconds. World indoor champion Aries Merritt of the United States was fourth in 13.26 seconds.
"I didn't think I could finish under 13 seconds but when I looked at the clock which showed 12.97, I felt very happy," Liu said at the post-race press conference. "I would like to thank my rivals. Their existence was a stimulation to me."
The Shanghai native, who turns 29 in July, took off his jersey after crossing the finish line and basked in ecstasy with thousands of fans who came to support him in the rain.
"I'm not thinking about breaking the record, whether I am in good shape or not," Liu said. "It's everyone's dream."
Liu and Richardson had a good start and stepped over the first hurdle ahead of the others. Accelerating powerfully in between hurdles, Liu, in the fifth lane, soon overtook Richardson running beside him after the fourth hurdle, maintaining the lead until the end.
Both Richardson and Oliver said they were not surprised by Liu's victory.
"I'm pleased but not quite satisfied with the result," world champion Richardson said. "I'm surprised by the athletic culture here that the entire country is supporting one athlete. In America it is a little bit different."
Following last night's victory, Liu is upbeat ahead of his clash with Cuban rival Dayron Robles in Eugene, Oregon, next month. "I'm looking forward to the Eugene meet," Liu said. "Every hurdler is competitive. Dayron is the world record holder but I'm in no way inferior. He has a record of 12.87 and I also once broke the record in 12.88 seconds. David finished in 12.89 once. Jason is the world champion. Aries beat me in the indoors. I mean every hurdler is competitive."
Earlier, former world record holder Asafa Powell of Jamaica had an easy victory in the men's 100, winning in 10.02 seconds.
"It was a good result. Technically it was good," Powell said. "We did a lot of work in Jamaica. It's still two months to the Olympics. I am satisfied."
American Michael Rodgers and Jamaican Nesta Carter finished second and third. China's 22-year-old hope Su Bingtian was sixth in 10.31. Jamaican sprinters Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake skipped the meet.
Jamaica's Veronica Campbell-Brown defeated American Carmelita Jeter in the women's 200 in 22.50 seconds. The latter clocked 22.62, with Nigerian Blessing Okagbare finishing third in 22.71.
But there was heartbreak for Australia's Olympic pole-vault champion Steve Hooker, who bombed out after failing in his first three jumps at 5.30 meters. China's Yang Yansheng was the surprise winner, scaling 5.65 meters while German Bjorn Otto, who has the season-leading vault of 5.82, was second.
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