Liu Xiang sets the World 110m Hurdles record in Lausanne (© AFP / Getty Images)
China's Olympic champion Liu Xiang broke the men's 110m Hurdles World record with a time of 12.88 seconds* (wind +1.1 m/s) at tonight's 'Athletissima', a Super Grand Prix meeting, which is part of the IAAF World Athletics Tour.
"I never thought I could break the World record. I'm feeling very tired, very happy and very excited," said Liu Xiang. "Switzerland is my lucky place. I love Switzerland and Lausanne and the fans here," the 22-year-old added. "I had already broken the World junior record in 2002 in Lausanne (13.12).
Tonight "I started well running. But it was after the fifth hurdle when I speeded up," confirmed the 2005 World Championship silver medallist who will celebrate his 23rd birthday on Thursday (13 July).
Liu Xiang was the joint holder of the previous best of 12.91, which he equalled when winning the Olympic title on 27 August 2004 in Athens, Greece. The original 12.91 record had been set in Stuttgart, Germany, by Britain's Colin Jackson who established that mark when winning the World Championship gold on 20 August 1993.
In second place tonight in Lausanne was Dominique Arnold of USA who led for most of the race, and finished in 12.90 seconds, which of course is also under the old record.
IAAF
quotes from agencies
*pending ratification
NB. a full meeting report from our correspondent in Lausanne will follow later. The meeting is currently on-going.