“I knew I was in good shape, so the time does not surprise me. The number of Chinese supporters in the stadium was a nice surprise,”said Liu (L). (Photo: Getty Images)   Sept. 10 - Liu Xiang made the most impressive mark on the opening day of the IAAF World Grand Prix finals, when sprinting to a winning 12.93 seconds, a WAF record in the men’s 110m Hurdles on the brand new green track of the Gottlieb Daimler Stadium in front of enthusiastic crowd of over 29,000.

 

The other headliner was Golden League Jackpot winner Asafa Powell who took a very close 100 metres sprint victory in 9.89 which closed-out an entertaining first day programme.

 

Liu Xiang’s victory was the third fastest time of his career, and his triumph triggered the waving of dozens of huge national flags by the hundreds of Chinese fans who had stationed themselves at the end of the 100m straight.

 

The Olympic champion and World record holder has only run faster when setting his two world records, in Lausanne this summer (12.88) and when taking his Olympic crown in Athens (12.91) in 2004.

 

The stadium, where at the 1993 World Championships Colin Jackson had set the original 12.91 World record (12.91) which the Chinese star later equalled, also inspired young cuban sensation Dayron Robles who tied Anier Garcia’s national record with 13.00, and so edged out four-time World champion Allen Johnson who capped his successful second part of 2006 with 13.01, a new seasonal best.

 

“The fantastic crowd, the nice atmosphere gave me a lot of confidence,” said Liu Xiang whose start was electric, a reaction time of 0.108.

 

“I knew I was in good shape, so the time does not surprise me. The number of Chinese supporters in the stadium was a nice surprise.”