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| Olympic gold medallist Liu Xiang of China leaps
over a hurdle as he competes with Allen Johnson of the United States
during the men's 110m hurdles final at an international track and
field meet 2004 in Yokohama, south of Tokyo September 23,
2004. (Reuters) |
World record holder Liu Xiang of China defeated four-times world
champion Allen Johnson to win the men's 110-metre hurdles at the Yokohama
track and field meet on Thursday.
And the 21-year-old Olympic champion wasted no time in declaring that
he would set a new world record in his event.
"My goal is to set a new world record. I believe I
have potential. I'm still 21 and you will peak
at around 25," said Liu.
"I promise that I will break the world record some day and keep the
record for China forever."
In May the 21-year-old set a new Asian record of 13.06 to beat Johnson
in winning the Japan Grand Prix in Osaka, boosting his confidence for the
Athens Olympics.
In Athens Liu tied the world record of 12.91 to win the gold medal,
becoming the first-ever Olympic champion from Asia in a track event.
Johnson failed to reach the final in Athens after a fall in the second
round.
In Yokohama Liu clocked 13.31 seconds, ahead of Maurice Wignall of
Jamaica in 13.33 and Johnson, the American Atlanta Olympic gold medallist,
in 13.41.
"I defeated Allen again today but this is not a big race, it doesn't
mean anything. Nobody is on top form. I want to beat him again in a big
race," said Liu.
"The victory in the Olympics has changed everything for me. At home in
China, everybody receives me enthusiastically. I'm always fearing that
people might rob me of everything, including my clothes," he joked.
"But the Athens Olympics already belongs to the past. I need quiet
conditions for my training, looking forward to the Olympics to be held at
home in four years' time. I'm going to keep myself calm."
(Agencies) | 
Updated: 2004-09-24 11:08