Allen Johnson (USA) could not have gotten a better start if he had been fired out of a cannon.
The 35-year-old four-time World champion was visibly in front going over the first hurdle and stayed there despite the best efforts of Liu Xiang (ASI-CHN), Dayron Robles (AME-CUB), and Stanislav Olijars (EUR-LAT), who pressed him all the way. Even in the run-in, World record holder Liu made it close. But Johnson didn't make a mistake, and won in a dazzling12.96 (+0.4), followed by Liu (13.03), Robles (13.06) and Olijars (13.15).
Johnson said, "I am more than satisfied. I saw yesterday that the track was very fast, and I tried to have a quick start." He did just that.
James Dunaway
