Olympic gold medallist Liu Xiang of China coasted to a gold medal in the 110 metres hurdles, breasting the tape in 13.30 seconds, the fastest in the history of the Asian Athletics Championships, in Incheon City, Korea, on Friday.
Liu erased the previous mark of 13.49 seconds, set by compatriot Li Tong at the 1993 edition of the championship in Kuala Lumpur.
Spectators thronged the Munhak stadium to witness the Olympic champion in action and the genial Chinese obliged them with the comfortable victory.
"It was a great crowd and I enjoyed running here," Liu said during the post-medal media briefing.
Liu, who also holds the Asian record in the event with a timing of 12.91 seconds, added, "I was given a task and am happy that I have fulfilled it."
His teammate Shi Dongpeng finished second in 13.44 seconds, which was also better than the existing championship record.
Iran's Rohollah Asgari Gandmani won bronze in 13.89 seconds.
Asked about his golden aspirations for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Liu replied, "There will be pressure on me but then I have to counter it."
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