BEIJING, July 4 -- World champion Liu Xiang stands unchallenged in men's hurdles according to the newly released rankings by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

    The world record holder tightened his grip on the top place with 1401 with victories in the men's 110m hurdles at the Reebok Grand Prix in New York and in the 60m race at an indoor championships in Karlsruhe, Germany.

    Burgeoning Cuban hurdler Dayron Robles came second with 1381, followed by the US veteran Alan Johnson, who failed to qualify for the 11th IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Osaka.

    In the overall standings for male track and field athletes, Liu Xiang remains in fifth spot, 48 points behind front-runner, Jamaican Asafa Powell.

    (Source: CRIENGLISH.com)