Liu gears up for London with Japan victory
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E-mail Xinhua, May 7, 2012
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Liu Xiang crosses the final hurdle ahead of Ronald Brookins of the United States to win the 110-meter hurdles final at the Seiko Golden Grand Prix in Kawasaki, near Tokyo, yesterday. |
China's Olympic hope Liu Xiang stepped up his preparations for the 110-meter hurdles at the London Games with victory at the Seiko Golden Grand Prix meet in Kawasaki, Japan, yesterday.
Liu, the 2004 Olympic champion and 2007 world champion, clocked 13.09 seconds to finish .24 seconds ahead of Omo Osaghae of the United States. American Ronald Brookins was third in 13.69.
"Considering there was some wind and rain today I am satisfied with the time," Liu said. "This was my first outdoor race of the season, so it was a good result."
Looking ahead to London, the Shanghai native added: "For all athletes, the Olympics are special. There are a lot of strong rivals so you just have to concentrate on your own conditioning and training."
Liu's victory follows a flawless 60-meter hurdles final in 7.41 seconds at the Birmingham Grand Prix in February to finish almost a tenth of a second ahead of world record-holder Dayron Robles of Cuba in their first meeting since last year's world championships.
China had a winner in the men's 100 meters as well when Su Bingtian won in 10.04, finishing .01 seconds ahead of American Mike Rodgers, with Kim Collins of St Kitts third in 10.07.
Allyson Felix of the US won the women's 100 in 11.22, finishing .16 seconds ahead of Melissa Breen of Australia. Chisato Fukushima of Japan was third in 11.39.
In Kingston, double world record-holder Usain Bolt shook off two false starts to open his 2012 season with a world-leading 9.82 seconds to win the 100 at the Jamaica International Invitational on Saturday.
Bolt, running his first 100 of the season, looked in control from the start as he posted an easy victory over compatriots Michael Frater (10.0) and Lerone Clarke (10.03).
He improved on the previous best time of the year, the 9.90 clocked by fellow Jamaican Yohan Blake on April 14 in Kingston.
World champion Blake also posted a world-leading time with 19.91 seconds in the 200.
