Liu Xiang ignites passions with victory at National Games
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Olympic gold medalist Liu Xiang (C) from Shanghai jubilates while Ji Wei(L) of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) team and Shi Dongpeng from Hebei watch on the podium after the men's 110m hurdles of athletics at the 11th Chinese National Games in Jinan, east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 25, 2009. Liu claimed the title of the event with 13.34 seconds. Ji won the silver while Shi got the bronze.[Xinhua/Li Ga] |
Athens Olympic champion Liu Xiang ignited a sold-out Olympic sports center with victory in the men's 110m hurdles finals at the 11th Chinese National Games on Sunday.
The 26-year-old Liu, who finished second at the Shanghai Golden Grand Prix last month, exploded out of the starting blocks and hit the line first with a last-gasp burst in 13.34 seconds.
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Olympic goldmedalist Liu Xiang (R1) from Shanghai competes during the men's 110m hurdles of athletics at the 11th Chinese National Games in Jinan, east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 25, 2009. Liu claimed the title of the event. [Xinhua/Xu Jiajun] |
The result was good enough for the 2007 world champion to win the title, but far off his former world record and personal best of12.88 seconds.
"I just wanted to keep the pace, keep steady. I kept watching my opponents during the race. I didn't make my utmost to spurt," Liu said after the race.
Ji Wei of the Peoples Liberation Army, who placed first in the Saturday's heats, finished second in 13.42. Liu's national teammate Shi Dongpeng stood third in 13.63.
Liu made an iconic bug-eyed expression to amuse the audiences before the race. The former record holder trotted around the stadium after crossing the line, waving arms to audiences, attracting thunderous cheers and applauses from a more than 50,000 crowd.
"Thanks a lot for the Shandong peoples' support and also the media. I felt great tonight, " Liu added.
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