Dayron Robles: Hurdles Record-Setter Gets the Gold

Dayron Robles made his Olympic debut a good one in 2008. Although he didn't get the chance to face off with defending 110 hurdles champion Liu Xiang, who was injured, Robles won the event 12.93 seconds. Robles ran a world-leading 13.04 in 2009, but he wasn't at full speed, due to his own injury, at the Berlin World Championships and failed to reach the final.

Robles vs. Liu Xiang:

Robles was on the track – finishing fourth in 13.11 – when Liu set the 110 hurdles world record of 12.88 seconds in 2006. Liu was not in the race when Robles established a new mark of 12.87 in 2008. The two competitors met four times in 2007, however, with each winning twice. Robles’ most impressive victory over his rival occurred in Liu’s hometown of Shanghai.

Canceled jumps:

The names of Robles and Liu are linked for many reasons. Coincidentally, both began their athletic careers intending to become high jumpers. Liu trained as a high jumper from ages 12-15 before Chinese authorities switched him to hurdles. Robles trained in several disciplines from age 10 but high jump was his favorite sport. He didn’t begin focusing on hurdles until age 14.

Career highlights:

In addition to his world record run in 2008, Robles’ highlights include 2007 victories in the World Athletics Final and the Pan-American Games. He placed fourth at the World Championships in Osaka. His top World Championship result was a silver medal in the 60-meter hurdles at the 2006 Indoor Championships.

The stats:

• Height: 6-4
• Weight: 176
• Birth date: November 19, 1986
• Hometown: Guantanamo, Cuba
• World Championships: None