Angelo Taylor of America topped the men's 400 meters hurdles semifinals at the Beijing Olympics on Saturday, finishing at 47.94 seconds, his best performance so far this year.

He was the only one run under 48 seconds in the semifinals involving 16 athletes, of which half advance to the final to be held on next Monday.

Finalists include three Americans, two Jamaicans, and runners from Poland, South Africa and Greece.

Bershawn Jackson of the United States finished second place in a time of 48.02 seconds, bettering his 2008 personal best of 48.15 seconds.

He was followed by his compatriot Kerron Clement at 48.28 seconds and Jamaican Danny McFarlane, silver medalist at the Athens Olympic Games, entered the final at 48.33 seconds.

(Xinhua News Agency August 16, 2008)