China's Su Bingtian celebrates after winning the men's 100m semifinals during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, August 1, 2021. /CFP
Su Bingtian set a new Asian record in the men's 100-meter dash with a time of 9.83 seconds at the Tokyo Olympics semifinals on Sunday to become the first Chinese sprinter to qualify for the final of the event.
Former Chinese men's 110m Olympic gold medalist hurdler Liu Xiang congratulated Su on Sina Weibo: "You're the man! 9.83 seconds!"
Su, 32, also became the first Asian athlete to reach the Olympic final of the event since the digital timer was introduced.
Su Bingtian (R) of China competes in the men's 100m semifinals in the Tokyo Olympics at the Olympic Stadium, August 1, 2021. /CFP
Su finally achieved his long-time goal in his third Olympic Games. He already ran below 10 seconds in 100m competitions twice this year. He finished the preliminary race at 10.05 seconds before admitting it was not the best he could do.
Su's semifinal time matched that of American sprinter Ronnie Baker, who also marked it as a personal best.
Here's the finishing order of finalists:
Su Bingtian (China), Ronnie Baker (U.S.), Marcell Jacobs (Italy), Akani Simbine (South Africa), Zharnel Hughes (Britain), Fred Kerley (U.S.), Enoch Adegoke (Nigeria) and Andre De Grasse (Canada).