Dayron Robles of Cuba (R) clears a hurdle next to Liu Xiang of China on his way to winning the men's 110 metres hurdles final at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Daegu, August 29, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

DAEGU, South Korea - Dayron Robles won the showdown of the fastest three high hurdlers of all time in the 110 metres hurdles final at the world championships on Monday.

The Cuban made contact with his predecessor as Olympic champion and world record holder, China's Liu Xiang, on his way to victory in 13.14 seconds.

"I don't like my technique today," Robles said in a televised interview. "I was tangling with Liu Xiang over the last hurdle but I'm feeling great now."

Liu tripped on the final hurdle, a rarity for the 2007 world champion, and was only able to claim bronze in 13.27 behind American Jason Richardson, who took silver in 13.16.

American David Oliver, the fastest man this year and the last of the trio of quickest high hurdlers ever, hit the second hurdle and was never in the race, slumping home in fifth in 13.44.