Liu Xiang starts defence of world indoor crown with a stutter

From David Jordan, Sportsbeat, in Doha

 DEFENDING champion Liu Xiang made a stuttering return to the global stage as he sneaked through the 60m hurdles heats at the World Indoor Athletics Championships in Doha.

STUTTERING START: Liu Xiang fails to set the world alight on his return to the global stage in Doha (Getty Images)

The 2004 Olympic gold medallist who was forced out of defending on home soil at Beijing 2008 with a foot injury, clocked 7.79 seconds to finish third in his heat.

Injury problems prevent Liu from defending his World Championships crown in Berlin last year but having made his competitive comeback at the end of 2009, the Chinese star has set his sights on defending the world indoor title he won in Valencia two years ago.

But his time was well down on that of the USA's Terrence Trammell, the current world number one, who crossed the line in 7.60.

Olympic bronze medallist David Oliver of the USA was also in imperious form and advanced to the semi-finals in the joint-fastest time, having also come home in 7.60.

Meanwhile, Olympic champion Dayron Robles of Cuba was sluggish out of the blocks but turned up the heat in the middle section of the race, only to jog over the line in 7.74.

In the women's 60m, LaVerne Jones-Ferrette justified her favourite tag with the fastest time in qualifying, easing across the line in 7.14.

The Virgin Islands sprinter, who has clocked an incredible 6.97 this season, leads the way from the USA's Carmelita Jeter - the World Championships bronze medallist - as well as Commonwealth champion Sheei-Ann Brooks.

Veteran sprinter Chandra Sturrup of the Bahamas also safely progressed, as did Great Britain's Joice Maduaka, who squeezed through her heat in fourth place, crossing the line in 7.46.

Aviva has been proud to have helped and supported the Aviva GB & NI junior, senior and disability teams as they prepare for all major events and championships since 1999. Visit www.aviva.co.uk/athletics for more information