Liu Xiang (C) of China clears a hurdle ahead of Park Taekyung (L) of South Korea and Ohashi Yuji of Japan in the men's 110 meters hurdles final at the East Asian Games in Macau, China November 2, 2005. Liu won the gold medal. [Xinhua]

   

Liu Xiang of China waves after winning the men's 110 meters hurdles final at the East Asian Games in Macau, China November 2, 2005. Liu won the gold medal in a time of 13.21 seconds. [Reuters]

BEIJING, Nov. 2 -- The East Asian Games' brightest star Liu Xiang stormed home first at the men's 110m hurdles on Wednesday.

    The Olympic champion clocked 13.21 seconds, well off his world record of 12.91.

    Liu's teammate Shi Dongpeng, who had a false start, timed 13.36 seconds for the silver with Japan's Kota Kumamoto in third place in 13.89.

    Liu became one of China's biggest celebrities after winning a gold medal and leveled the world record in the Athens Olympics last year.

    His top time this year is 13.05 seconds, which is 0.08 seconds behind this season's best 12.97 set by Frenchman Ladji Doucoure, who beat Liu into second place in the world championships.

    Liu ran 13.10 at last month's Chinese National Games in Nanjing.

    "I knew I would win although I felt tired after the National Games," Liu said after the race.

    "I had thought the year following the 2004 Olympics would not be so busy. But it turned out to be very busy. I competed in Golden League races and world championships and quite a few domestic races."

    Liu said he was happy with his performance in the year.

    "I didn't fall out of the top three in international meets and has won all the domestic races," he said. "I had nothing to complain."

    Liu said the East Asian Games was not his last race of the year.

    "After this games I will run in some indoor and World Cup races," he said.

    The 22-year-old has been to Macao three times, only once for competition.

    "Macao did quite a good job in hosting the East Asian Games," he said. "They have put in a lots of efforts and money." Enditem