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The glare of the spotlight. The graceful flight of the hurdlers. The final burst of speed. The long standing ovation. The crush of the media as they jostled for an interview.
These are just some of the ingredients in Liu Xiang's victory in the 110m hurdles at the Doha Asian Games.
The Olympic champion and world record holder yesterday broke the Asian Games record, which he set four years ago in Busan, with a time of 13.15. Team-mate Shi Dongpeng was just behind him with a time of 13.28.
Liu was glad to run a better time than expected.
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| World record holder China's Liu Xiang competes in the men's 110m hurdles final during the 15th Asian Games in Doha December 12, 2006. Liu took the gold medal and broke the event 's Asian Games record, clocking a time of 13.15 seconds. [Reuters]. |
Even Liu's rivals admire his dominance of Asian track and field.
"Liu Xiang is the best athlete here. He is so fast that everyone else is just coming to fight for the silver," said local hurdler Al Thawadi Mohammed Essa, who came sixth.
"I was trying to catch up with him, but it was hard. He is my idol and I am watching. Actually we are very good friends."
Liu's overwhelming speed also helped push second-placed Shi, who delivered a personal best.
"In Asia, there are no challengers. Shi is the second best in the area. I congratulated him right after the match. Also thanks to his tight chase behind me, I dared not slow down too much during the competition. So that is the reason I got a 13.15 result," he said.
The duo held a national flag and ran a lap around the stadium, waving to supporting fans, mostly Chinese.
The champion said that he would return home after the Asian Games to take a break.
"I will stay with my parents for some time and enjoy some good home cooking made by my mum," he said.
"But before coming home, I will have a few days in Doha and will go out for shopping. I heard the world's leading watch brands are cheaper in Doha, so I think I will get some gifts for my family."
After a short vacation, Liu will start preparing for the world championships in Japan in August.
"I will try to get a better result than at the last championships," said Liu, who settled for a silver at last tournament in Helsinki.
