Xiang (CHN) on his way to his Asian record in Osaka, heads Johnson (© AFP/Getty Images)
Athens Olympic gold medallists Justin Gatlin, Liu Xiang, Koji Murofushi, Olga Kuzenkova, and Tim Mack are all scheduled to compete at the IAAF Japan Grand Prix in Nagai Stadium, Osaka, Japan on Saturday 7 May 2005.
Justin Gatlin won gold in the men's 100 metres at last year's Athens Olympics, while Liu Xiang made Olympic history for China by winning their first ever men’s track and field title when taking the 110m Hurdles title, crossing the line in 12.91 to equal the World record set by Britain's Colin Jackson in 1993.
The Chinese star was the headliner at last year’s Osaka meet beating America’s quadruple World champion Allen Johnson. In the process Liu Xiang improved on his own Asian record of 13.06, clearly indicating his serious Olympic title credentials.
Another Asian star who returns to Osaka this year is local favourite Koji Murofushi who won the Hammer Throw at the meet for the second consecutive year in 2004 with 82.18m, what was then the world’s leading mark of the season.
The women's Olympic Hammer Throw champion Olga Kuzenkova of Russia who won at this meeting in 2003 (71.33) will also be on show on 7 May, having already opened her season with a 70.11 performance last month.
Olympic Pole Vault champion Timothy Mack of the United States who was victorious in Osaka last year (5.60m) is also scheduled to take part.
Reuters and IAAF
