China's Olympic champion Liu Xiang beat four-times world champion Allen Johnson of the United States in a dramatic men's 110 meters hurdles here tonight at the Shanghai Athletics Grand Prix.

Other Olympic champions Justin Gatlin of the United States, Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia and Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia sailedto victories easily in front of more than 40,000 yelling fans.

Liu, who keeps the world record of 12.91 in the men's 110m hurdles, caught up Johnson in the final stage with a winning time of 13.05 seconds. Johnson clocked 13.20 for the silver.