Olympic champion hurdler Liu Xiang of China refreshed the Asiad record with 13.09 seconds to harvest his third straight Asiad gold here on Wednesday.

It was Liu's third record-breaking experience after he broke the Asiad record four years ago in Doha and eight years ago in Pusan.

Liu's teammate Shi Dongpeng placed second in 13.38, also his season best, while the bronze went to Park Taek Yong of South Korea at 13.48.

The 27-year-old, whose attendance attracted almost eighty thousand spectators to Guangzhou Aoti sports center, staged a dominating performance by leading the race from the very first second. Liu established a decisive advantage after conquering the third hurdle, and kept extending his lead until he finished the competition.

"I am very happy to win the Asian Games title the third time," said exciting Liu. "I didn't expect I could race in 13.09."

Liu limped off the field of the national stadium Bird's Nest in the 2008 Beijing Games even before he started running in the first heat to defend his Olympic glory, leaving millions of Chinese fans dumbfounded with the blow.

He was later treated in the United States, receiving surgery on his right Achilles' tendon.

Wednesday's winning result was his best since he made a comeback in Septemper, 2009 after the surgery.

"My coach always has confidence in me," said Liu, the former world record holder. "I am confident of myself too. I am quite sure of my form."

"The Asian Games is important to me, and after that I will focus on the preparation for the 2011 world championships as well as the 2012 London Olympics."

For his silver medal, Shi said he was satisfied, saying that "I am glad with my result. Liu is quite stronger than me. To beat him one day is my goal."

Another local star Li Caixia finished top of women's pole vault event with 4.30 meters. Her teammate Li Ling bagged the silver, and Tomomi Abiko of Japan settled for the bronze.

It was Li Caixia's first Asiad title. The 23-year-old, who used to be a sprinter, was glad to get the medal, but not happy with the results.

"I was too nervous," said Li. "Winning so big an event thrilled me. In the future, my goal is to challenge the Asian record (4.64 meters), and to get myself ready for the London Olympics."

Kim Deok Hyeon of South Korea won the men's long jump gold medal. Kim broke his season best record with 8.11 meters in his fifth attempt, beating Chinese Su Xiongfeng to second in 8.05 and Hussain Taher Alsaba of Saudi Arabia to third in 7.96 meters.

Kim, who became the first South Korean male to win a gold on athletics, burst into tears after the victory.

"I am extremely happy because it is the first time I have won a gold medal in the men's long jump in the Asian Games," said Kim. "I have done a lot of training to improve my speed."

Iran's Ehsan Hadadi claimed gold from men's discus throw with 67.99 meters. Ahmed Mohammed Dheeb of Qatar got the silver in 64.56 meters while Iranian Mohammad Samimi placed third in 63.46 meters.

(Xinhua News Agency November 25, 2010)