GA_googleAddSlot("ca-pub-1197233282945943", "Star_Sports_Skyscraper");

Sports

Sunday October 25, 2009

Liu Xiang takes it easy to reach 110m hurdles final

BEIJING: Chinese star Liu Xiang’s comeback gained momentum yesterday as he advanced to the 110m hurdles final at the China National Games, finishing second to rival Ji Wei in a preliminary heat.

Ji Wei, who runs for the People’s Liberation Army, took first place in 13.70 as Liu Xiang slowed at the tape to come in at 13.75.

“I felt good, the foot felt fine, I shouldn’t have any problem,” the 2004 Athens gold medallist and former world record holder said.

“This was only a preliminary heat, I was only thinking about advancing to the final, nothing else. Tomorrow I will try to get a better result.”

It was Liu Xiang’s second race since undergoing surgery on his Achilles tendon after he was forced out of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Today’s final will also contain China’s other top hurdler, Shi Dongpeng, who won his heat in 13.86.

Last month at the Shanghai Golden Grand Prix, Liu Xiang thrilled his fans with a wind-aided 13.15 run for second place behind world number two Terrence Trammell, who clocked an identical time.

The time is tied for ninth fastest in the world this year in rankings by the IAAF, the world athletics governing body, but is well off Liu Xiang’s personal best of 12.88 and the current world record of 12.87.

Liu Xiang’s coach Sun Haiping said this week that his charge is currently not in top shape and will need several months of intensive training if he hopes to regain his previous form. — AFP

  • E-mail this story
  • Print this story

Sports Poll