Chinese star hurdler Liu Xiang set a new Asian Athletics Championships record in the 110-metre hurdles yesterday in Kobe, Japan to successfully defend his title with something to spare. The former world record holder, who turns 28 on Wednesday, clocked a new championship best time of 13.22 seconds to beat his compatriot Shi Dongpeng, who came home in 13.56, and Park Taek-Yong of South Korea in 13.66.