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Chinese hurdler Liu Xiang breaks record over 110m

China's Liu Xiang, right, crosses the finish line of the men's 110m hurdles race at the Athletissima athletics meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Tuesday. Liu won the race and set a new world record with a time of 12.88 seconds. At left is the US' Dominique Arnold, who placed second. PHOTO: AP

Having endured soccer's World Cup finals minus their own national team, few sights could warm Chinese hearts more than hurdler Liu Xiang's (劉翔) half-naked dash draped in his country's flag.

Liu's spontaneous act of joy after smashing the 110m hurdles world record with a time of 12.88 seconds at Tuesday's grand prix meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland, proved too infectious to ignore in local media reports.

"Bare-chested and madly dashing about with wings of the national flag," cheered a headline in news Web portal Sina.com.

"Little Liu, you're too great!" said another carried by the official All-China Sports Federation Web site.

While Liu's triumph was not televised and happened as China enjoyed a well-deserved post-World Cup sleep, notes of congratulation from thousands of well-wishers appeared within hours of the race.

"If marrying, marry Liu Xiang in a hurry!" suggested one amorous commentator.

Liu himself was happy to break the usual American and European monopoly of track and field success.

"I'm the only yellow-skinned athlete who can beat the Europeans and Americans."

Liu Xiang

"I'm the only yellow-skinned athlete who can beat the Europeans and Americans," Sina.com quoted the 22-year-old as saying.

Liu's coach, Sun Haiping, was satisfied, not only at his protege's "excellent result" but also the prospect of less media pressure.

"Before, at every event, journalists would all be asking him when he would break the world record. It's broken now, so don't ask again!" Sina.com quoted him as saying, adding that Liu could break the record again at any event if he was in form.

Liu's mother thought it just a question of will for Liu to set a new mark in the future, Web portal Sohu.com reported.

"When he wants to break the world record, he will. If he doesn't, he won't!" the Web portal quoted her as saying.

Liu's father was less swept away by his son's achievement and the resulting chorus of national pride, saying he would not be leaving the family home in Shanghai to pick his son up in Beijing on his return -- or providing any special presents for his 23rd birthday on Thursday.

"That's too much trouble! I'll wait for him here, make him something nice to eat," Sohu.com quoted him as saying.

"Isn't the world record the best present he could have?" he said.

The previous record of 12.91 seconds was set first by Britain's Colin Jackson in August 1993. Liu matched that at the 2004 Athens Olympics, where he became China's first-ever sprint gold medalist.

Second-placed Dominique Arnold of the US also broke the record in 12.90.

Only three days ago, Liu struggled to a fourth-place finish at the Gaz de France meet outside Paris.

He ran a victory lap on Tuesday, shirtless and flailing his arms before climbing to sit on the red metal clock on the field that showed his record time.

Liu also set a junior world record in Lausanne four years ago.

"It is my place of good luck and joy," he said.

"It's where I won four years ago with such a good time. I always feel so good here," Liu said.

American Marion Jones continued her winning ways by leading a US 1-4 sweep in the women's 100m. Jones won in 10.94, Me'Lisa Barber was second in 11.03, Torri Edwards third in 11.07, Lauryn Williams fourth.

Jamaica's Sherone Simpson, who has the world's best time this year of 10.82, withdrew hours before the race because of an undisclosed injury.

Kenya's Janeth Jepkosgei posted a season and personal best in winning the women's 800m in 1 minute, 56.66 seconds.

Leonard Scott of the US led from start to finish in the men's 100m, but in a modest 10.05 despite the balmy temperatures. Olusoji Fasuba of Nigeria was second in 10:09 with the same time as Michael Frater, but Fasuba edged the Jamaican on the photo finish.

The meeting took a hit when co-world record-holder Justin Gatlin withdrew from the 100m with a sore knee and Jamaica's Asafa Powell, who shares the record with the American, declined to replace him.
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