Robles, world record-holder with 12.87 seconds, is a tough candidate of sports media and specialists to mount the winner’s podium in this outdoor event to be held from August 27 through September 4.
 
Certainly, the confirmation of the triad of terror, made up of Robles, Chinese Liu Xiang and American David Oliver, turns this competition into a thrilling show for sports fans.
 
Unlike the previous year, during which Robles suffered some injuries and had to leave aside competitions for a while, in the present season he has recovered his condition and has won nine races, though stumbling with a hurdle cost him a medal in Barcelona.
 
Even though, his best time this year is 13.04 seconds, it is praiseworthy to point out that he defeated his archrival Oliver, who leads the season with  12.94 seconds,  twice in Paris, on July 8, and in London, on August 5. 
 
This event is a wonderful opportunity for Oliver, who had a great season in 2010 and dominated the hurdles, indicating that Robles and he would
lead the duel for the crown.
 
However, Xiang’s early return with 13.00 seconds is a sign of recovery,
and has set on fire the 110 meter hurdle event, which is getting all
attention, as well as the men’s 100 meter.
 
The truth is that the world’s best athletes at present will clash in South
Korea. Expectations are increasing but experts don’t dare to vote on any
runner due to the technical parity and quality of these giants.
 
Even though Robles, Oliver and Xian are favorites to divide up medals in
this world championship, there are other hurdlers in very good condition
so as to become news as Ryan Brathwaite (BAR), champion in Berlin 2009;
Terrence Trammell and David Payne (USA); Maurice Wignall and Dwight Thomas
(JAM); Wei Ji (CHN) and William Sharman (GBR).