David Oliver looks forward to reclaim his dominance in 110m Hurdles – Eugene Provisional Entry Lists
American hurdling athlete, David Oliver, who specialises in the 110m hurdles, is all set to reclaim his dominance over the track at the 37th annual Prefontaine Classic, to be held on Saturday, June 4, at Hayward Field.
The Prefontaine Classic is regarded as the fourth-leg of the Samsung Diamond League circuit.
The three-time US champion, Oliver, while appearing at last year’s Prefontaine event, had marked the American record of 12.90 seconds in the 110m hurdles. Displaying his potential for the discipline, he continued to rule the 110m hurdle track throughout
2010, which, according to a professional publication, culminated in earning the Number One spot for him in the world.
The bronze medallist of the 2008 Olympic Games and the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Championships maintained his winning streak until the Shanghai Samsung Diamond League meet last month, where he encountered the formidable Chinese runner, Liu Xiang.
Xiang, who also happens to be a former world record holder, emphatically ousted his American rival with a time of 13.07 seconds, against Oliver’s effort of 13.18 seconds. The results being unexpected, prompted a sensation in Shanghai and indeed throughout
China.
Losing the battle to Xiang was rather shocking for Oliver, however, displaying his courage, he did not lose his heart and expressed his resolve to have a toiling workout to reclaim his crown. He said, “I wish I had the answers to why I underperformed tonight.
I will just have to go away and train harder and be ready for my next major competition.”
Keeping in mind the aim expressed by Oliver and the challenging potential of Xiang, one can rightly expect the meet at Prefontaine to be remembered for long. Xiang, the most commercially successful athlete from China, who is also acknowledged as a cultural
icon, is the only Chinese who has achieved the ‘triple crown’ of athletics.
However, the 2004 Olympic Champion and winner of the 2007 World Championships has been through some severe foot injuries. Though he is all determined to encounter Oliver in Saturday’s battle despite his fitness, he might not be able to pose a significance
hindrance to the American counterpart, who is eager to mark his supremacy over the track all over again.
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