Liu runs fastest hurdles ever
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, June 4, 2012
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Liu Xiang (C) of China leads David Oliver (L) and Jason Richardson of the United States over the last hurdle in the men's 110m hurdles at the Prefontaine Classic Diamond League track meet in Eugene, Oregon June 2, 2012. [Photo/Agencies] |
NO one has ever run the 110 meters hurdles faster than China's Liu Xiang did on Saturday, wind or no wind, but the former world record holder was not ready to proclaim himself the king of the event again.
He thrust his arms in celebration after running 12.87 seconds, a performance that would have equalled Cuban Dayron Robles' world record but for a 2.4 meters per second wind in Eugene, Oregon - just 0.4 meters per second over the allowable limit for record purposes.
Perhaps aware of how the stunning performance will increase expectations in China, Liu tried to downplay its implications no matter how reporters at the Prefontaine Classic Diamond League meeting phrased their questions.
Did he think he could now break the record?
"No, I never think about that," the Shanghai native said.
Did he now consider himself the favorite for the Olympic gold medal in London?
"I am already the (2004) Olympic champion in Athens," he said through a translator. "So I never think about that. It is just a race for me."
But no ordinary race.
Only Robles with his 2008 world record and US double Olympic champion Roger Kingdom have matched the time.
Kingdom's 1989 run, like Liu's, was wind-assisted. "You never think about what time you can run," said Liu.
But the performance obviously sent shockwaves around the hurdles world, especially to Cuba and Robles, who had been scheduled to come to Eugene but pulled out when his visa was delayed.
The Cuban's next race, slated to be in New York on June 9 in the Beijing Olympic champion's first United States visit, will no doubt be closely watched.
Liu's fastest official time remains 12.88, set in 2006, and which stood as the word record for two years.
US world indoor champion Aries Merritt finished second in 12.96 with world outdoor champion and compatriot Jason Richardson third in 13.11.
British world champion Mo Farah also impressed, winning the men's 5,000 in 12 minutes 56.98 seconds, the fastest time in the world this year.
Ethiopian world record holder Kenenisa Bekele, still rounding into shape from a calf injury, was fourth in a season-best 13:01.48.
