Chinese 100m sprinter makes history at Asiad

China's Lao Yi (R) celebrates after winning the men's 100m final at the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, Nov 22, 2010.

GUANGZHOU - Hosts China claimed a historic gold medal at Asiad on Monday as sprinter Lao Yi became the first Chinese to lift the men's 100 meters title at Asian Games.

With the absence of Qatar's Samuel Francis, who set an Asian record of 9.99 seconds in 2007, Lao was the favorite of the race and clocked 10.24 seconds to win the title.

Francis was disqualified in the semifinals due to false start earlier Monday.

"I am very exciting," said the winner. "I did a lot of preparation before the Asian games. I had expected to break the national record, but I failed this time."

China's Lao Yi celebrates winning the men's 100m final at the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, Nov 22, 2010.

Lao didn't take the lead at first, but he made a strong sprint in the last meters to win the gold.

"I had my own rhythm," explained the 25-year-old, who was known by few before the Asiad.

Lao said he was bothered by injury in the previous two years, and he set a personal best of 10.21 at the National championships this year.

"My next goal is to get good results in next year's world championships," said Lao. "I am quite confident of myself now."

Yasir Baalghayth Alnashri of Saudi Arabia got the silver in 10.26, and Barakat Al harthi of Oman got the bronze in 10.28.

China's Lao Yi (2nd L) dashes past Oman's Barakat Al Harthi (3rd L) to win the men's 100m final at the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, Nov 22, 2010.

China's Lao Yi (C) runs ahead of Oman's Barakat Al Harthi (R) to win the men's 100m final at the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, Nov 22, 2010.

(Xinhua)