Liu Xiang, China's medal bet during the Athens Olympic Games, continued his fine form by winning the men's 110-metre hurdles at the Lille international athletics meet on June 26.

Liu blazed to victory in 13.41, well ahead of Ladji Doucoure of France who was second in 13.50 and Redelen Melo dos Santos of Brazil, who finished third in 13.50, according to Monday's China Daily.

In the women's hammer throw, China's Gu Yuan placed second to world champion Yipsi Moreno of Cuba with a throw of 71.36 metres. Moreno's winning toss was 72.65.

Christine Arron of France confirmed her good shape, winning two races less than two months before the Olympic Games.

The European record-holder, who clocked 11.18 seconds despite a headwind of 1.6 metre per second, accelerated in mid-race to seal her 100-metre victory at the competition on the outskirts of Lille in northern France.

Vida Anim of Ghana finished second in 11.41 seconds and Cuba's Mileidis Lazo placed third in 11.64 seconds.

"There was a strong headwind but I tried to run well," Arron said. "I also tried to improve my start."

A few hours later, she beat fellow countrywoman Muriel Hurtis in the 200-metre race.

Arron crossed the line in 22.60 seconds, 27 hundredths of a second ahead of Hurtis. Kim Gevaert of Belgium finished third in 23.04.

World Champion Jana Pittman of Australia, starting the European leg of her Olympic preparation, did not finish the women's 400-metre hurdles.

World record-holder Yulia Pechonkina of Russia won the event, completing it in 53.9 seconds. Pechonkina overtook Tatiana Tereschuk of Ukraine in the final straight line.

Source: China Daily