JINAN, Shandong province: Star hurdler Liu Xiang lived up to expectations in the final of the men's 110 meters hurdles at the Olympic Sports Center here last night.
In front of 60,000 fans, the former Olympic and world champion claimed his third National Games gold medal in a solid 13.34 seconds.
Liu burst out of the blocks and led from start to finish in his second event after recovering from an Achilles tendon injury, which sidelined him for 13 months. Ji Wei, who finished eighth at this year's Berlin World Championships, claimed silver in 13.42, with Shi Dongpeng, who used to be China's No 2 hurdler, clinching bronze in 13.63.
"While sprinting, I tried to glance at my nearest rival (Ji) and then I wanted to finish the race safely, so the time was not good," Liu said after the race. "However, the most important thing was to finish the race safely and smoothly. The result is not very good but the effort was not bad."
After crossing the finishing line, Liu took off his shoes and jogged a circuit of the stadium to acknowledge the support of the crowd. He even threw his top into the audience.
With the victory, Liu became the first Chinese hurdler to win a National Games title three times.
"I'm feeling very good now," Liu said. "I started to compete at the National Games at the age of 18 and now I'm 26. I hope I can run at the Games again in four years' time because, for all Chinese athletes, the National Games is a dream and it is also my starting point. I would just like to thank all the people who have supported me and all the spectators who cheered for me here."
Liu was forced to withdraw from the first round of the men's 110m hurdles at the Beijing Games last August and had surgery on the tendon in the US last December.
His comeback race was at the Shanghai Golden Grand Prix meet last month, where he ran a wind-aided 13.15 for second place, narrowly beaten by world No 2 Terrence Trammell of the US.
That time is tied for ninth fastest in the world this year, although it is well off Liu's personal best of 12.88 and the world record of 12.87.
"I never thought of coming back when I got injured and I felt my future was in doubt," Liu said. "But now I have seen there is still a future.
"I had never experienced difficulties before but now I have. I have been through the ups and downs and I think it bodes well for my future."