VALENCIA, Spain - China's star hurdler Liu Xiang finished first on Saturday to snatch the title in men's 60 meter hurdles at the 12th World Indoor Championships in Valencia, Spain.

China's Liu Xiang competes to win the men's 60m hurdles final at the 12th IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championship in Valencia March 8, 2008. [Agencies]

Liu dashed at a speed of 7.46 seconds to collect the gold medal, his first of such event, though he is the world champion and world record holder in the outdoor 110 meter hurdles.

Allen Johnson from the United States came second with 7.55 seconds, while Russia's Evgeniy Borisov and Latvia's Stanislavs Olijars shared the bronze medal at the same speed of 7.60 seconds.

Another Chinese hurdler Shi Dongpeng failed to enter the finals after finishing the 9th in the semifinals at 7.65 seconds.

"I feel very peaceful. The victory is out of my expectation," Liu Xiang told Xinhua after the race.

Liu's toughest rival, Cuba's Dayron Robles was disqualified in the heats earlier on Saturday, clearing the way for Liu to the title.