Angelo Taylor of America topped the men's 400 meters hurdles semifinals at the Beijing Olympics here on Saturday, finishing at 47.94 seconds, his best performance so far this year.

He was the only one run under 48 seconds in the semifinals involving 16 athletes, of which half advance to the final to be held on next Monday. Finalists include three Americans, two Jamaicans, and runners from Poland, South Africa and Greece.

Bershawn Jackson of United States, came to the second place in a time of 48.02 seconds,cutting short his 2008 personal best of 48.15 seconds. Following was his fellow Kerron Clement finishing at 48.28 seconds. He run at a time of 47.79 seconds in Kingston, Jamaca on May 3.

Jamaican Danny McFarlane, runner-up to the Athens Games entered the final at 48.33 seconds.

(Xinhua News Agency August 16, 2008)