China's Liu Xiang (foreground) clears a hurdle to win the gold medal in the men's 110m hurdles yesterday. - AP

OSAKA, Japan (AP):

NOW LIU Xiang has the full set.

With his victory yesterday in the 110-metre hurdles in 12.95 seconds, the Chinese star added a gold medal in the World Championships to the bronze and silver medals he won at the past two editions.

They, of course, go with his Olympic gold from Athens and his world record of 12.88 set last year.

Terrence Trammell got silver in 12.98 and his United States teammate, David Payne, took bronze in 13.02.

Trammell and Liu came over the 10th and final hurdle level, with Liu winning in the final stride as both runners stared at each other as they lunged over the line.

"I don't know when I started leading the race but when I reached the finish line, I could feel I was in the lead," Liu said.

Eyes on olympic gold

Liu's next addition to his trophy case could overwhelm everything else if he wins a gold medal next year at the Beijing Olympics, where Liu and basketball star Yao Ming are China's marquee athletes.

"I was nervous prior to the race," Liu said. "I was under a lot of pressure at home to win the gold but I think I was able to conquer the tension and pressure.

"In this race I was running against myself, and I'm happy I was able to do that and ignore any distractions."

Trammell has a right to feel frustrated. He has won silver twice in the Olympics - 2000 and 2004 - and now has two silvers in the Worlds. Two years ago he was fifth in the Worlds in Helsinki. He has yet to win gold in a major outdoor meet.

"I knew that it was going to be a tough race and I'd have to make sure I did my best because I was going against the world best," Trammell said. "I was able to go under 13 seconds and I'm happy with that. There are some positive things I can take back home with me.

"I was fifth the last time, so I'm moving in the right direction."