China

Liu Xiang maintains win over Johnson in S. Korea

(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-09-28 19:39

DAEGU, South Korea - China's Liu Xiang extended his advantage over Allen Johnson in their personal duel for supremacy in the 110m hurdles, winning a fourth head-to-head of the year at the Daegu International Meeting on Thursday.

The world record holder had triumphed in two of their previous meetings, only losing to the 35-year-old American in the World Cup in Athens, and Liu again had the edge in an action replay of last weekend's clash in Shanghai.

China's Liu Xiang, right, gets congratulated by Allen Johnson from the United States in the men's 110-meter hurdles at the Daegu Athletics Meeting 2006 in Daegu, south of Seoul, South Korea, Sept. 28, 2006. Liu Xiang won the event, recording 13.14 seconds. [AP]

Once again the American started far quicker and led with two hurdles to go, before Liu repeated his Shanghai form with a storming finish to win by two hundredths of a second in a time of 13.14 second. ADVERTISEMENT

In the 200m, Wallace Spearmon became the third fastest man in history as he recorded the best time of his career.

The 23-year-old American won in 19.65 seconds to back up his pre-race claim that his "season is just beginning" after an injury setback earlier this year.

He achieved the time without a challenge from the rest of the runners, with fellow American Kaaron Conwright among those who trailed in well adrift.

American Michael Johnson holds the world record for the distance in 19.32 seconds.

Kenyan athletes took the top three places in the men's 800m as world indoor champion Wilfred Bungei edged out compatriots William Yiampoy and Ismael Kombich in the final stride of a tight finish.

Qatar's James C'Kurui (5000m) and American Leonard Scott (100m) were among the other winners at a meeting attended by nearly 50,000 people, but all finished in times than far slower than they recorded in events earlier this year.

In the women's 100m, there was more disappointment for world champion Lauryn Williams, whose season has been badly disrupted by illness and now a hamstring problem.

The American trailed in behind compatriot Torri Edwards, who was always in control despite a relatively slow time of 11.35 seconds.

A majority of the crowd stayed on after the track events to watch Russia's pole vault world record holder Yelena Isinbayeva complete a routine victory, despite failing three times at a height of 4.80m.