Although Aries Merritt arrived in Grosseto expected to play second fiddle to the two-time US junior champion (2003 and 2004) at this event, Kevin Craddock, he has improved with every race and was simply uncatchable in the final.
After one false start from the Cuban, Dayron Robles, the race got away cleanly with Merritt first to break, closely matched by Robles, but from the fifth barrier, the American powered away, clearing the barriers smoothly before cross the line in 13.56 , the clear victor.
The battle for silver was hot though, with Robles being chased down by Craddock over the final hurdle, but just hanging on for silver, although both athletes were given the same time of 13.77. China’s Lilu Liu was fourth with 13.96.
