Liu Xiang only finished third with a 13"15 in the men's 110m hurdles at the Paris leg of the IAAF Golden League early Saturday, 0.02 second behind gold medalist, Dayron Robles of Cuba.

The game resumed after aspirant Robles had jumped the starting gun. Despite a mediocre start, Liu Xiang caught up with the rivals, running neck and neck up front by the first hurdle, along with American Anwar Moore. 

But the sub-par Xiang failed to stride into an overwhelming lead as in previous races. The world No.1 fell behind at the second hurdle and was overtaken by galloping Robles just after the third fence. 

The world record holder used all his strength to minimize the gap, but in vain. Moore and Robles completed the game both with 13"13. A video replay confirmed that the Cuban had reached the line first.

 

The other Chinese in the race, Shi Dongpeng finished ninth, with 13"39.

 

(CRI July 7, 2007)