Liu Xiang defends 110m hurdles title at East Asian Games

Posted Sunday, December 13, 2009 by chinadaily.com

HONG KONG: China's 110m hurdles sensation Liu Xiang set off an explosive when he successfully defended his East Asian Games title for the second time here on Friday.

Liu Xiang defends 110m hurdles title at East Asian Games
(China's Liu Xiang runs ahead of Japan's Yume Moses (L) and Takayuki Shuto (R) in the men's 110 metres hurdles final at the East Asian Games in Hong Kong December 11, 2009. [Agencies])

Liu breezed to victory in 13.66 seconds amid wild cheers and thunderous applause in the newly built Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground.

It was Liu's third victory following the National Games and the Asian championships triumph since he made a successful comeback in September from a tendon injury which forced him to pull out of the Olympic Games last year.

The 26-year-old admitted that the result was not good but sometimes one had to obey the laws of nature.

"Every athlete will go from the start to his or her peak before retirement. This is a natural process. What I can do is to bring out my best every time I compete," said Liu.

Donning a white T-shirt on which the character of "Xiang" was written, Liu started on lane 3 and his every move set the capacity stadium on fire.

Liu was not the first one to break off the starting block but soon surged to the lead before the third hurdle.

After a whole year off the field, Liu found his remaining career much more cherishable.

"I will do my best in my remaining career," said the former Olympic and world champion.

Liu limped off the field of the national stadium Bird's Nest in the Beijing Olympic Games even before he started running in the first heat to defend his glory last year, leaving millions of Chinese fans dumbfounded.

He received a surgery in the United States.