There's no doubt about it, Liu Xiang is ready for his Beijing Olympics.
And so is Yelena Isinbayeva.
China's biggest star in athletics competed in his first 60-meter hurdles competition of the season on Saturday and dominated from the heats to the final to win his first gold medal at the world indoor championships in Valencia, Spain.
In the most touted event of the three-day championships, Dayron Robles did not keep his part of the bargain to challenge Liu. The Cuban was eliminated in the heats when he wrongly assumed a false start.
"I don't know if I would have been the champion if he had also run," Liu said. "I feel a little lucky."
Liu still made sure the event was not a letdown. Despite a slow start, he moved into the lead halfway through the race to win in 7.46 seconds. American veteran and triple indoor champion Allen Johnson took silver in 7.55.
As soon as Liu crossed the line, he broke into a boyish grin and held up his index finger to show who will be the man to beat in Beijing.
It was Liu's first indoor competition this season and his first real test in months. The world outdoor champion had played down expectations, saying a top-three finish would be enough. The victory left him giddy with excitement, dancing with the Chinese flag draped over his head.
Liu won bronze in the event in 2003, silver in 2004 and did not compete in Moscow two years ago. Robles was a silver medalist in Moscow. And at 37, Johnson was happy to be back in the medal mix.
"Any medal is good for me," said Johnson, who will give it one final shot to make the US Olympic team for Beijing.
Isinbayeva was as solid as ever in competition to win her third straight world indoor title, holding off rising American vaulter Jennifer Stuczynski. Both cleared 4.75 meters, but the Russian needed fewer attempts.
(Agencies via Shanghai Daily March 10, 2008)