Cuba’s Dayron Robles struggles before advancing in 110 hurdles, uncertain for semifinals

Cuba’s Robles uncertain for semis in 110 hurdles

BERLIN — Olympic champion Dayron Robles is uncertain if he can run in the semifinals of the 110 meter hurdles at the world championships because of a left hamstring injury.

The Cuban struggled in the opening heat, scraping through only as the last guaranteed qualifier from his race. Robles, renowned for his smooth style, clumsily hit the opening hurdle and trailed most of the race before his natural speed brought him back into contention.

He qualified behind Maurice Wignall of Jamaica and Helge Schwarzer of Germany in 13.67 seconds, .76 off his world record time.

After the race, he said an injury over the winter was acting up again. It did not affect his results during the summer, winning his nine races coming into the championships.

Rival Liu Xiang of China is not competing in Berlin because of a longstanding injury.