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Liu eyes Asian Games title on birthday

By Liu Shanshan (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2010-07-14 15:41

Liu Xiang holds one of his birthday gifts, an Apple's iPad tablet, in Beijing, July 13, 2010. [sports.qq.com]

China's former Olympic champion Liu Xiang celebrated his 27th birthday this week and his one wish is to regain the 110m hurdles title at the Asian Games.

"Guangzhou means a lot to me and the Asian Games is the most important competition for me this year," Liu was quoted as saying by the Shanghai Morning Post when he mentioned his training for the upcoming event.

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Liu celebrated his birthday with all day's training this Tuesday and was treated to a birthday party and cake on a night out with his coach and friends in Beijing. "I am quite delighted for the gifts and blessings from my fans around the country," said Liu.

Liu went to the United Stated for rehabilitation training last month. His track shoes were also improved to be less pressed for his injured Achilles tendon, a move which may have a great influence on his future training.

The 2010 Asian Games, lasting from November 12 to 27, will be held in Guangzhou, where Liu won his third straight Asian Athletics Championships Gold at the 2009 tournament.

Liu Xiang, forced out of the 2008 Beijing Olympics by an Achilles injury, has seldom been at top form since his surgery. He lost to his compatriot Shi Dongpeng for the first time at the Shanghai Diamond League athletics competition two months ago.