Liu would hold 12.88s for 30 years
By Wang Wei (Chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2006-07-17 16:05

China's Olympic champion Liu Xiang broke the men's 110m Hurdles World record with a time of 12.88 seconds at a Super Grand Prix meeting on 11 July then promised there was more to come.


Liu Xiang of China celebrates setting a new world record in the men's 110-metre race at the IAAF Super Grand Prix athletics meeting in Lausanne, July 11, 2006. Liu won the race in a world record time of 12.88 seconds. [Reuters]

"I held the previous best of 12.91 seconds for 13 years, but I believe Liu would hold the new record for at least 30 years." said Britain's Colin Jackson, who set the previous mark in Stuttgart, Germany on 20 August 1993.


Britain's Colin Jackson

Jackson said:" Liu's advantage depends on the pace, which is crucial for a hurdler. I'm very excited about the new world record. There's no need to commiserate with me - his time is so incredibly quick."

"He (Liu) is a great star! He always concentrated on what he aimed at. To my surprise, he can run so fast under the hot weather and suffocating atmosphere of the game," Jackson added, "Frankly speaking, I never thought of 12.88 seconds before, but I guess Liu made it after earning more experience."


Liu Xiang of China celebrates setting a new world record in the men's 110-metre race at the IAAF Super Grand Prix athletics meeting in Lausanne July 11, 2006. Liu won the race in a world record time of 12.88 seconds. [Reuters]


"I never thought I could break the World record. I'm feeling very tired, very happy and very excited," said Liu Xiang after the game. "Switzerland is my lucky place. I love Switzerland and Lausanne and the fans here," the 22-year-old added. "I had already broken the World junior record in 2002 in Lausanne (13.12).