(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-05-12 07:40

OSAKA, Japan - Olympic champion Liu Xiang stormed to victory in the 110 metres hurdles in treacherously wet and cold conditions at the Japan Grand Prix on Saturday.

Liu Xiang of China smiles after winning the men's 110 metres hurdles final at the IAAF Japan Grand Prix in Osaka May 10, 2008. [Agencies]

Liu splashed home in 13.19 seconds with fellow Chinese Shi Dongpeng a distant second in 13.63 to stretch his unbeaten run in Osaka to six races, including last year's world championships.

"I'm very happy with 13.19 in this weather and more importantly to have avoided injury," Liu told reporters. "When it's rainy and cold there is always a risk.

"I've always started my season strongly in Osaka so I hope this will be a good omen."

Liu was competing in his first major competition since winning the 60 metres hurdles at the world indoor championships in Valencia in March.

He led from the first hurdle and finished eight metres clear of Shi and Jamaica's Maurice Wignall in third, clenching his fist in celebration as he crossed the line.

Informed that American David Oliver had posted the year's fastest time of 12.95 in Doha on Friday, Liu flashed a smile and offered congratulations -- with a calculated sting in the tail.

"That's nice for him," shrugged Liu, who owns the current world record of 12.88. "But it doesn't put me under any pressure. I can easily break 13 seconds if the conditions are right.

"The conditions in Doha were perfect for him. If people are running under 13 seconds that's fine but the key is to produce it at major championships."

MAIN THREATS

Liu, who became China's first male Olympic track and field gold medallist at Athens in 2004, is scheduled to run just four more races before the Beijing Games in August.

Other than Oliver, Liu's main Olympic threats are likely to be Cuba's Dayron Robles and Americans Terrence Trammell and Allen Johnson, none of whom made the trip to Japan.

"In the month or so before the Olympics I plan to train intensively in Beijing to acclimatise to the heat," said the 24-year-old from Shanghai. "Everything must be perfect."

Meanwhile, world champion Brad Walker won the men's pole vault at the IAAF event in Osaka, the American's second attempt at 5.40 metres enough to earn victory.

China's Olympic medal hopes were given a boost before the Beijing Games in the women's field events, Song Aimin winning the discus, Zhang Wenxiu the hammer throw and Li Meiju the shot put.