China's Su and Xie reach men's 60m semifinals at indoor worlds

BIRMINGHAM, March 3 (Xinhua) -- China's Su Bingtian, bidding for the first medal in his fourth World Indoor Championships, cruised to the men's 60 meters semifinals here on Saturday.

The 28-year-old maintained his unbeaten record this year by storming to victory in his heat in 6.59 seconds ahead of the Bahamian Warren Fraser and Jamaica's Kimmari Roach, respectively second and third in 6.71.

"I felt very relaxed for my first run," said Su. "In the semifinal I'm aiming for 6.50. I think that will be enough to make the final and then my target is obviously a gold medal."

His teammate Xie Zhenye clocked 6.62 sconds to finish second in Heat 4.

Su's number one threat en route to the podim is American Christian Coleman, who smashed Maurice Greene's world indoor 60m record with a scorching 6.34 secons at the US Indoor Championships in Albuquerque on 18 February.

The 21-year-old crossed the line first in his heat in 6.71. The world 100m silver medallist was only the 16th quickest qualifier but clearly there is a good deal more in the tank.

"My start was decent, but I tripped," said Coleman. "I stayed calm and made it through. My focus is to win. I'm really excited and feel well prepared. The crowd here is great so far and I think it will be electric this evening."

Kim Collins, 41, who won the silver medal when the World Indoor Championships came to Arena Birmingham in 2003, also qualified for the semifinals in 6.77 seconds.

The fastest time came in the final heat as Coleman's US teammate Ronnie Baker stormed to victory in 6.57 seconds ahead of Saudi Arabian Abdullah Abkar Mohammed (6.62) and Mauritian Jean-Yann De Grace (6.78). Enditem