Liu Xiang only finished third with a 13"15 in the men's 110m
hurdles at the Paris leg of the IAAF Golden League early Saturday,
0.02 second behind gold medalist, Dayron Robles of Cuba.
The game resumed after aspirant Robles had jumped the starting
gun. Despite a mediocre start, Liu Xiang caught up with the rivals,
running neck and neck up front by the first hurdle, along with
American Anwar Moore.?
But the sub-par Xiang failed to stride into an overwhelming lead
as in previous races. The world No.1 fell behind at the second
hurdle and was overtaken by galloping Robles just after the third
fence.?
The world record holder used all his strength to minimize the
gap, but in vain. Moore and Robles completed the game both with
13"13. A video replay confirmed that the Cuban had reached the line
first.
The other Chinese in the race, Shi Dongpeng finished ninth, with
13"39.
(CRI July 7, 2007)
