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Liu Xiang advances to 110m hurdle final

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

Ji, who runs for the People’s Liberation Army, took first place in 13.70 seconds as Liu 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 medalist 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’s second race since undergoing surgery on his Achilles tendon after he was forced out of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Sunday’s (today) final will also contain China’s other top hurdler, Shi Dongpeng, who won his heat in 13.86 seconds. Last month at the Shanghai Golden Grand Prix, Liu thrilled his fans with a wind-aided 13.15 seconds 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’s personal best of 12.88 seconds and the current world record of 12.87. Liu’s coach Sun Donghai said this week that Liu is currently not in top shape and will need several months of intensive training if he hopes to regain his previous form. Saturday’s heat before a boisterous crowd at the Olympic Sports Centre in eastern China’s Jinan city was broadcast live to a nationwide audience. afp

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