World champion Liu Xiang again stands atop the men's hurdles event in updated rankings released just before the World Championships in athletics, according to the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

The world record holder tightened his grip on the top place with 1387 points. Burgeoning Cuban hurdler Dayron Robles came second with 1378, followed by the US veteran Alan Johnson.

The ranking is expected to be re-shuffled after the week-long World Championships, which will be held in Osaka from this Saturday. During the event, Liu Xiang and Dayron Robles are expected to vie for top position, however Alan Johnson will not be able to join the race as he failed to qualify for the upcoming competitions.

Another Chinese athlete Shi Dongpeng, who has an eye on making the top eight at the World Championship, slipped down four spots to 19.

In the overall standings for male track and field athletes, Liu Xiang was elevated to fourth spot. And US star Tyson Gay exceeds Jamaican Asafa Powell to climb to the number one spot.

(CRI August 23, 2007)