Liu Xiang of China celebrates after winning the 110 metres hurdles event at the IAAF World Athletics Final in Stuttgart on September 9, 2006. [Reuters]

Liu Xiang;s victory was the third fastest time of his career, and his triumph triggered the waving of dozens of huge national flags by the hundreds of Chinese fans who had stationed themselves at the end of the 100m straight.

The Olympic champion and World record holder has only run faster when setting his two world records, in Lausanne this summer (12.88) and when taking his Olympic crown in Athens (12.91) in 2004.

"The fantastic crowd, the nice atmosphere gave me a lot of confidence," said Liu Xiang whose start was electric, a reaction time of 0.108.

"I knew I was in good shape, so the time does not surprise me. The number of Chinese supporters in the stadium was a nice surprise."

The stadium, where at the 1993 World Championships Colin Jackson had set the original 12.91 World record (12.91) which the Chinese star later equalled, also inspired young cuban sensation Dayron Robles who tied Anier Garcia's national record with 13.00, and so edged out four-time World champion Allen Johnson who capped his successful second part of 2006 with 13.01, a new seasonal best.

The other headliner was Golden League Jackpot winner Asafa Powell who took a very close 100 metres sprint victory in 9.89 which closed-out an entertaining first day programme.

Powell broke the tape in 9.89 (a WAF 100m record) in a close race against World Indoor 60m champion Leonard Scott (9.91) and Tyson Gay (9.92). Powell dipped under 10 seconds for a 12th time this season and extended his winning streak to twenty-two consecutive wins (heats included).

"I was concentrating on not getting the second false start, so I stayed in my blocks a little too long," said the World record holder. ¡°I felt dead in the first half of the race, but then I told myself that I can run as fast as any of these guys, and then I picked up my stride and I came through in the end."