WASHINGTON, June 11 (Xinhuanet) -- Four-time world champion Allen Johnson had the better of Chinese Olympic champion Liu Xiang Saturday in their much-hyped men's 110m hurdles showdown by powering to a world's leading time of 13.03 seconds at a New York athletics meeting.

Allen Johnson (L) and China's Xiang Liu (R) clear a barrier in the 110 meter hurdles at the Reebok/NYC Grand Prix in New York June 11. Johnson won the race, Xiang finished third. (Xinhua)

    The 21-year-old Liu, who tied the world record of 12.91 seconds in winning Olympic gold in Athens, clocked 13.06 seconds to win the Prefontaine Classic grand prix meeting last weekend, the world's best time of the year.

    But in the New York Reebok Grand Prix held at Icahn Stadium, Liu performed below his usual level as his uncharacteristic finish time of 13:11 ranked him behind Johnson and American Dominique Arnold, who posted a personal best of 13:05 for second.

    "I didn't start very well, my rhythm was wrong," said Liu who had a false start in the final.

    "I tried to adjust my rhythm and pace. In the middle of the race my body was tilted left."

Allen Johnson reacts after winning the 110-meter hurdles at the Reebok/NYC Grand Prix in New York June 11. (Xinhua)

    Johnson, who won 12 finals in the event last season but fell in the quarter-finals in Athens, had a chance to test his form against Liu in the Prefontaine Classic, but failed to materialize when Johnson was disqualified for a false start.

    Though Johnson emerged to be the victor this occasion, he said that it would not be his last brush with Liu in this world championship season.

    "This is only one race at the beginning of the year," Johnson said. "We are going to line up many more times. This is just stepping stone to Helskinki."

    On the same day, American Maurice Greene, the 2000 Olympic gold medallist, won the 100m in 10.08 seconds, ahead of Athens 200m gold medallist Shawn Crawford of the United States (10.10) and Jamaica's Dwight Thomas (10.11).

    "I'm like wine, the older I get the better I am," quipped Greene. "I'm having a lot of fun right now, that is the most important thing." Enditem