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It took China's 110m hurdles star Liu Xiang less than two years to go from equalling the world record to setting a new one.

On August 27, 2004, Liu became the first Asian in history to win the men's 110m hurdles at the Olympic Games in Athens. Liu, 21, was bronze medallist of 2003 world indoor and outdoor championships and clocked a world record-equalling time of 12.91 seconds for the gold.

"I think he can break the world record," Liu's coach Sun Haiping said after the Athens victory. "The time should be ripe in 2007 or 2008."

Thanks to his outstanding performances in 2004, Liu was awarded the 2005 Laureus World Newcomer of the Year in May of 2005.

In the same month, Liu won the IAAF Japan Grand Prix in Osaka, clocking a time of 13.12 seconds.

His second major title came one month later at the Nike Prefontaine Classic in the United States, where Liu won the 24 Hour Fitness men's 110 hurdles in a then world-leading time of 13.06, breaking the former meet and Hayward Field record of 13.12 run by Allen Johnson and Larry Wade.

Liu finished third place at the Golden League in Paris on July 1, 2005, and then finished runner-up at the Rome stage of Golden League on July 8.

At the World Championships in August at Helsinki of Finland, Ladji Doucoure of France edged past Liu, but Liu's second place is still the best result yet by a Chinese male athlete at world championships.

Right after the Helsinki tournament, Liu flew to Zurich of Switzerland and won a second place again at his third stage of the season's Golden League.

Back on home soil, Liu tasted victory at the Shanghai Golden Grand Prix on September 17.

On September 23, Liu clinched the season's last win at Super Track & Field at Yokohama of Japan.

In the 2006 season, Liu skipped a number of major competitions due to injuries and re-adjustment and won only twice.

But at the time doctors were confident Liu would be back on track soon.

"Because of the injury, he was sidelined for a long time and missed several competitions but he got a good recovery, which is well worth it," said Li Guoping, chief medical officer of Chinese Olympic Committee.

"He maybe missed a few medals now but there will be more room for him to improve his performance in the future with fitness," he said.

He made perfect debut in 2006 with success at the Osaka Grand Prix on May 6, 2006.

Liu then clocked 13.21 seconds, the fastest time of the season at that point, pulling away from rivals Ladji Doucoure and Allen Johnson to win the 110m hurdles in the Prefontaine Classic in Oregon on May 29.

After the two wins Liu only competed once at the Paris Golden League meeting, finishing in a disappointing fourth place only four days before he broke the world record at the IAAF Super Grand Prix athletics meeting in Lausanne.

But Liu believes he could do even better at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

"I will be only 26 years old in 2008 and I believe that I will reach my peak at that time and can do better then."

(China Daily July 13, 2006)