KOBE, Japan - Chinese super star Liu Xiang clocked 13.50 seconds in the first round of men's 110m hurdles at the Asian athletics championships in Kobe, Japan on Sunday.

Liu set the record of 13.30 seconds for the championships in 2005. He had clinched titles in the past three championships.

Liu's result in the first round is the fastest time ever recorded in the heat of 110m hurdles at the Asian Championships. The fastest heat time ever recorded previously in the Championships was 13.62.