Dayron Robles in Slo-Mo

I am not a Dayron Robles fan. Watching the fine clip below, however, reiterated Robles’ status as the world record holder.

What I don’t like about Robles’ form is his flailing trail arm. Instead of a straightforward swing like Liu Xiang 刘翔 and Colin Jackson, Robles’  left arm tends to push outwards first, before settling at the hip as the lead leg clears the hurdle. On a lesser note, Robles’ trail leg, unlike Liu’s, isn’t parallel to the hurdle crossbar upon clearance.

Read Liu Xiang vs. Dayron Robles

But then again, Robles’ excellent lead leg extension and trail leg action more than compensates for these minor deficiencies. The world record holder’s lead leg swoops over the hurdling at lightning speed. He brings his trail knee high underneath his shoulders. Robles’ leg action is picture perfect – a testament to Robles’ skills as a fine hurdling technician and to his coach, Santiago Arunez’s tried and tested coaching approach.

Irregardless, I still think that Liu Xiang will trump Robles and David Oliver come the Daegu 2011!