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Liu Xiang of China competes in the men's 110 metres hurdles final at the IAAF Japan Grand Prix in Osaka May 10, 2008. Liu won the race at 13.19 seconds.

Olympic favorite Liu Xiang encountered few challenges Saturday when he eased to win men's 110m hurdles at the 2008 IAAF Grand Prix in Osaka, Japan, with 13"19.

The time was far behind Liu's normal performance as well as the current world record he set at 12"88 two years ago, but sufficed to boost his winning streak to five at the tournament in the past five years and seven in Japan.

The game began in chilly rain and resumed after another Chinese racer Shi Dongpeng jumped the gun at the start.

Liu Xiang took off to a flying start and succeeded in maintaining the margin through to the finishing line. Shi Dongpeng came second with 13"60.

It's the second appearance of the Chinese flying man on the course this year after the indoor world championships in March.

Liu, who is undergoing intensive training for the Olympics, will make his debut at the newly-built National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, later this month to compete in a Good Luck Beijing competition.