World's leading hurdlers safely advance in Daegu worlds

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　　China's Liu Xiang, the former world and Olympic champion of the men's 110m hurdles², was the fastest among the big three as he easily led heat one to finish in 13.20.

　　David Oliver, the world's leading athlete of the season, was in third place by 13.27 while world record holder³ and Olympic champion Dayron Robles was the only one among the three hot contenders who did not lead the group. The Cuban clocked 13.42 to cross the line just behind another U.S. runner Aries Merritt on 13.36.

　　Richardson beat teammate⁴ Oliver in the Diamond League Stockholm leg to win the gold medal and was the fourth fastest hurdler this year with a personal best of 13.08.

　　On the other hand, Ryan Brathwaite's defence⁵ of his world title came to a premature⁶ end when the 23-year-old from Barbados was run out in the heats.

　　Brathwaite, who enjoyed a dream run to take the gold medal in Berlin two years ago, finished fifth in the first heat in 13.57 and became the third world or Olympic champion in two days to make an early exit following the demise⁷ of Steve Hooker of men's pole vault⁸ and Christine Ohuruogu of women's 400m.

　　However, it was not a shock as Brathwaite came to Daegu with a personal season best of only 13.54.

　　The men's 110m hurdles is set to be the race of the Championships here in Daegu, featuring the three fastest men in history, who are Robles (12.87), Liu (12.88) and Oliver (12.89).

　　However, the final on Monday might be a fierce⁹ fight among four to five guys.

　　In seven Diamond League races up to and including London only Robles (three wins) has won more than once. Liu, Oliver, Merritt and Richardson have won once each.

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