Liu Xiang clocked 13.22 seconds to clinch his fourth victory in the 110m hurdles at the Asian athletics championships in Kobe, Japan on Sunday.[Photo/Xinhua]

KOBE, Japan - Chinese super star Liu Xiang clocked 13.22 seconds to clinch his fourth victory in the 110m hurdles at the Asian athletics championships in Kobe, Japan on Sunday.

The former Olympic and world champion clocked 13.50 seconds in the first round and soared to break his own record in the championships in the final.

"I raced in a relaxing way today and it was a delight that I broke my own record in the championship," Liu said.

Liu, who previously held the world record of 12.88 seconds, used a new technique of approaching the first hurdle with seven steps instead of eight since late February.

Liu's compatriot Shi Dongpeng finished second in 13.56 seconds on Sunday. South Korea's Taekyong Park took the third place with 13.66.

Liu set the record of 13.30 seconds for the championships in 2005.

Liu Xiang smiles after claiming 110m hurdles title at the Asian athletics championships in Kobe, Japan on Sunday. [Photo/Xinhua]