TOKYO - World champion Grant Holloway blazed to the quickest time in the 110m hurdles semifinals on Wednesday, the American bursting out of the blocks and looking smooth to come home in 13.13 seconds.
Compatriot Devon Allen posted the day's second-fastest time of 13.18, while the Jamaican duo of Hansle Parchment and Ronald Levy also qualified for the final and will look to challenge for the podium.
Parchment, the 2012 Olympic bronze medalist, finished second behind Holloway while Levy won his race, both athletes posting 13.23 to advance.
France's Aurel Manga set a personal best of 13.24 to qualify and will be joined by compatriot Pascal Martinot-Lagarde, who finished second behind Levy with a season's best 13.25.
SEE MORE: Devon Allen celebrates with dance after 110 hurdles semi win
Holloway will start hot favourite for Thursday's race as the United States looks to extend its dominance in the event having won 19 of the 28 golds awarded at the Olympics.
Holloway's world leading time of 12.81 set in June was within a whisker of the world record of 12.80 set by another American, Aries Merritt, in 2012 in Brussels.
