Su Bingtian gestures in Eugene, Oregon, on Saturday. Photo: Xinhua

China's sprinter Su Bingtian became the first Asian-born to beat the 10.00-­second barrier in the men's 100 meters.

At Saturday's Eugene Grand Prix, the 1.71-­meter-tall runner finished third in 9.99 ­seconds, behind American Tyson Gay in 9.88 and Mike Rodgers in 9.90.

"I am so proud of my result. I can write my name into history now and will work harder and run faster," said the 25-year-old.

Although Qatar's Nigerian-born Femi Ogunode became the fastest man on the continent in last year's Incheon Asian Games when he clocked 9.93 seconds in the men's 100 meters, Asian-born ­athletes had been working hard for years to beat the 10-secons barrier until Su.

Previously, China's Zhang Peimeng, who raced to his personal best of 10.00 seconds during the 2013 Moscow World Championships, is considered the closest to beat the barrier, together with ­Japanese teenager Yoshihide Kiryu, who ran a wind-assisted unofficial 9.87 at a meeting in Austin, Texas in March.

Su was filled with confidence and started to set his sights on ­"creating ­miracles" for China at the World ­Championships in Beijing in August.

"This is definitely a huge boost for me. The last time in Moscow, Zhang Peimeng was ranked ninth in 10 ­seconds, which made me feel that we are very close to entering the top eight and beating 10 seconds," he said.

"I hope at this year's World ­Championships, I can work some ­miracles for my country in 100 meters and 4x100-meter relay," he said.

China's star hurdler Liu Xiang ­witnessed Su's record-breaking performance.

"You are great! You are great!" said Liu, who announced his retirement in April. "I told him to be himself and hold on to the last moment. And he did it. I am so honored to be present for the historic moment."

Su, who won gold at the Incheon Asian Games last year in the men's 4x100-meter relay, is scheduled to join the Asian Championships which starts Wednesday in Wuhan, capital of Central China's Hubei Province.

Also in Eugune, China's Zhang Guowei jumped 2.38 meters, three centimeters higher than his previous personal best, to claim silver in the men's high jump. Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qatar won the title with a 2.41-meter finish.