Olympic gold medallist Liu Xiang of China pulled away from Ladji Doucoure and Allen Johnson to win the 110-meter hurdles in the Prefontaine Classic on Sunday.

Liu, the co-world record-holder, won in 13.21 seconds, the fastest time in the event in this young season. Doucoure, the Frenchman who won last year's world title, was a distant second at 13.33. Johnson, the 1996 Olympic gold medalist and four-time world champion, was third at 13.39.

The meet was held on a wet track after several days of bad weather, but the rain stopped just before the meet began.

In one of the best races of the day, reigning world champion Michelle Perry leaned in just ahead of Damu Cherry to win the 100 hurdles in 12.63 seconds, tying Priscilla Lopes of Canada for the fastest time in the world this year.

Maria Mutola of Mozambique won the 800 for the 14th consecutive time, outsprinting Kenia Sinclair of Jamaica and American Hazel Clark to win in 1:58.86. Sinclair was second at 1:59.00, a tenth of a second ahead of Clark.

World champion Bershawn Jackson of the United States eased to victory in the 400-meter hurdles in 48.22 seconds. His US teammate Kerron Clement was second at 49.18.

Wallace Spearmon, runner-up at last year's worlds, won the 200 in 20.27.

Jackson and Spearmon are part of the young wave of US track talent which is dominating the sport. Jackson just turned 23 and Spearmon 21.

Torri Edwards won the women's 100 in 11.08 seconds.

In a downpour which preceded the start of the meet, distance running great Hachim El Guerrouj got a standing ovation in a farewell lap following his announcement this week that he was retiring from racing. He paused in front of the stands to throw kisses to the crowd.

(AP via China Daily May 29, 2006)