Liu Xiang arrives in Doha to break record

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-12-06 09:27

Liu Xiang, super star in the Asian Games, arrived Tuesday morning, looking to retain the men's 110m hurdles champion and break his own Asiad record.

Olympic champion 110-meter hurdler Liu Xiang receives an interview at Doha Internationa Airport upon arrival December 5,2006.Chinese Track and Field squad arrived in Doha in the early morning today for the 15the Doha Asian Games.[Xinhua]

"I plan to have a good sleep first, and begin training in the afternoon," said Liu at the Doha airport after a nearly 10-hour flight from Beijing.

The 23-year-old Chinese star, who shattered the world record when he clocked 12.88 seconds at an IAAF meet in Lausanne last July, is expected to round off his sizzling season in style with a second Asian Games gold.

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"Liu's aim at Doha is to reach 13.20 seconds," said Liu's coach Sun Haiping.

That meant Liu would break the Asian Games record of 13.27 seconds set by Liu himself at the Busan Asiad in South Korea in 2002.

Liu looked a little tired after the flight but he was very patient facing a sea of questions by reporters at the airport.

"Everything is fine. It feels so good to come with many athletes to attend the Doha Asian Games. You got a lot of people to chat with," Liu said.

Liu said he watched Doha Asian Games matches on TV in China. " China now tops the gold medal list. I am excited about this."

Liu, now a world star, was approached by many people for photo opportunities with him from the very start of his flight journey, said Sun.

Liu first came into international spotlight in Busan Asian Games after grabbing the 110m hurdles champion when he scored a runaway victory with the Games record of 13.27 seconds.

He then became the first Chinese man to win a track and field Olympic gold medal after historically taking the Olympic champion at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

"A lot of things changed during the past several years," Liu said. "But I wish people would treat me like before."

Liu is expected to win easily at Doha, and the only suspense is his new Asian Games record.

The preliminary round of men's 110m hurdle begins at 9:00 local time in Doha, and the final follows in the afternoon.

As a shinning international star, Liu's appearance at the 15th Asian Games is expected to draw lots of attention.