Jiahong Liang of China in action in the 100m in Beijing (© Getty Images)
When cruising past Trinidad and Tobago’s Keston Bledman to win the last of three 100m semi-finals in the early part of this evening session here in Beijing, Jiahong Liang became the first Chinese man ever to reach a 100 metres final at any World Championships or Olympic Games.
The 18-year-old native of the Eastern province of Guangdong, the most prosperous Chinese province in terms of economic development and the first place to open up to the world given its geographical position, produced a superb second half to outclass the rest of the field and clock 10.48, the slowest winning time of today’s semis but still good enough to make history!
“I feel ok about tonight’s race,” he explained in his native Chinese. “I am not too surprised to have made the final; I was expecting to qualify for tomorrow. I didn’t run very well this morning in the opening round but I was confident to do better in the second race.”
With a personal best of 10.32, Liang stands in fifth in the Junior entry lists but with World leader Willie Perry of the USA out injured there are now only nine hundredths of a second between his and the six fastest qualifiers for tomorrow’s final personal bests.
“I know the final will be very competitive but I expect to finish in the top three.”
There will be tremendous pressure on Liang’s shoulders as he lines-up in tomorrow’s final alongside World Youth champion Harry Aikines-Aryeetey of Great Britain and Jamaicans Remaldo Rose and Yohan Blake.
“I feel very pressured to compete here in Beijing. I am still nervous now,” he admitted a half hour after his semi-final.
Liang who according to his saying is also a good basketball player was first introduced to track and field at the age of 12 because “it was much more fun than school lessons!”
Needless to say Liang is an admirer of 110m Hurdles World record holder and Olympic champion Liu Xiang who became the first Chinese man to win an Olympic medal in Athens 2004.
“When Liu won the Olympics it made me realise that nothing is impossible. If he can do it then so can I. He has given us hope that we, Chinese can also achieve very big things in sport.”
Liang admitted he and Liu had actually met although meeting may seem a big word given the circumstances.
“I took part in the National Championships where he also competed but he didn’t notice me on the track!”
Well maybe if Liang does win China’s first ever medal in a men’s 100m Liu will take notice.
Laura Arcoleo for the IAAF
