Liu Xiang takes center stage, Liu Hong crowned in women's 20km walk

JINAN, East China, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- Star hurdler Liu Xiang came to spotlight on Saturday night as the Athens Olympic champion easily cruised into the 110m finals at the 11th Chinese National Games.

Liu Xiang representing Shanghai Municipality competes during the qualification match of the men's 110m- hurdle at the 11th Chinese National Games in Jinan, east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 24, 2009. Liu qualified for the final with a time of 13.75 seconds. (Xinhua Photo)

The 26-year-old Liu, who finished second at the Shanghai Golden Grand Prix last month, exploded out of starting blocks and took the lead along with Ji Wei in the last three hurdles.

Liu slowed down before hitting the line and finished in 13.75.

The result was good enough for the "flying man" to advance to the final, but far off his former world record and personal best 12.88 seconds.

"It was just an ordinary match, and everything went all right," Liu said shortly after the race.

In the Shanghai Golden Grand Prix last month, Liu finished second in a wind-aided 13.15 seconds.

Liu's national teammates Shi Dongpeng and Xie Wenjun topped the other two groups in 13.84 and 13.79 seconds, respectively. They both qualified for the finals on Sunday night.