Meeting Logo

News - 19.05.2012

Liu clocks 12.97 to defeat world outdoor and indoor champions

Local hero, Liu Xiang, roared on by the crowd, clocked a world leading 12.97 to defeat David Oliver, 13.13, and world champion Jason Richardson, 13.16 of the USA. That time dislodges Oliver's meeting record by 0.02 and establishes Liu as the man to beat in London this summer. Liu, in lane five and flanked by Richarson on his inside and the fastest man in the world so far this season, Aries Merritt of the USA, got a blitz start and was never headed. Oliver made a brave attempt to haul him in, but as the race entered its final stages, Liu simply went away. As he crossed the line he yanked off his vest to take the accolade of the crowd on a night when fast times looked out of the question. Merritt, the world indoor champion, who had hoped for better things tonight, was unable to make an impression, coming in fourth in 13.26.