Chinese Olympic champion Liu Xiang ran his trademark 110m hurdles event in 12.92 seconds at the Reebok Grand Prix in New York on Saturday, setting the year's best performance in the discipline.

United States hurdlers Terrence Trammell, two-time Olympic runner-up, grabbed the silver in 12.95 seconds with Ryan Wilson third in 13.02 seconds, in what proved to be a very fast pace. Dominique Arnold was earlier disqualified for a false start at the second warning.

Trammell bolted from the starting-blocks but Liu pulled back to go head-to-head until the eighth hurdle when a turn of speed by the Chinese star gave him the win by a hair's breadth.

The Shanghai star reminded reporters that though Olympic gold was his principal goal, he was remaining focused on the upcoming World Championships in Osaka. Liu finished third and second in 2003 and 2005 respectively and is determined to win this time.

"I really want to see what winning the gold feels like this time," he said. "Osaka is my lucky track, and I hope it brings me success again."

Liu first equaled the world record in 2004 to become Olympic gold medalist in Athens in 12.91 before smashing the 13-year-old world mark by running in 12.88 at the Super Grand Prix in Lausanne in July last year. These performances have elevated Liu to the rank of national icon in China.

 (Xinhua News Agency June 4, 2007)