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Liu takes success in his stride

By Lei Lei (China Daily)
Updated: 2011-05-17 07:54

Liu Xiang (L) races against David Oliver on Sunday in Shanghai. [Photo by Cui Meng / China Daily]

  Related story: It's not all about technique

A change of starting style has helped China's star hurdler beat his American archrival and light up his path to the worlds and London Olympics, Lei Lei reports from Shanghai.

Less than three months ago, Liu Xiang started to experiment with a new start technique - taking seven steps to the first hurdle instead of his customary eight. Using the new style, China's champion hurdler broke American David Oliver's 18-race win streak in the 110m event at the Diamond League meet in his hometown of Shanghai on Sunday night, clocking a solid 13.07 seconds. It was not only his best result after being forced to withdraw from the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games due to an Achilies tendon injury, but also the top time in the world this season.

"Liu is now much more mature. I can't make every decision for him, but I communicate with him. It's communication between two men, but not like a father talking to his child," said Liu's Sun Haiping, who has been coaching Liu for 12 years after the race.

"To cut the eight steps to seven was his own decision. He has grown up and is an experienced athlete, so I accept his suggestions in training now."

At Sunday's race, the second leg of the Diamond League this season, the 27-year-old Liu dominated from the start, to the delight of the home crowd. Oliver was second in 13.18, followed by compatriot Aries Merritt (13.24).

"I'm very satisfied with my performance today. I do not think Oliver ran his best. I think he looked a little bit nervous. He was not very relaxed," Liu said after the race.

Liu's quick start seemed to affect Oliver, the current world No 1 in the event, and he was not sharp at the start and never challenged his Chinese opponent.

"My start was not very good," said Oliver, who was last beaten outdoors on Aug 31, 2009. "I wish I had an answer to why I underperformed tonight. I will just have to go away and train harder and be ready for my next major competition."

Liu, the 2004 Olympic champion and former world record holder, had battled foot injuries since his late withdrawal at the Beijing Games. He returned to cheer up the crowds last November at the Guangzhou Asian Games by winning the title for the third time in 13.09.

Liu decided to tweak his technique after coming back from an indoor race in Germany in February. The seven-step method is now applied by many of the world's top hurdlers, such as Oliver and current world record holder Dayron Robles of Cuba.

"I realized the importance of the seven-step technique later than them, but I believe I can catch up with them," said Liu.

"I can't say the seven-step technique is better than the old one, but I want to try. I don't want any regrets in my career."

Sunday's result has boosted his confidence, but he did not totally attribute the victory to the new technique.

"I didn't expect too much from my new technique. It was just a try," Liu said.

"I need to be patient ... I have to make sure I keep my own pace instead of being affected by the other athletes.

"I am always confident in myself and this victory has further boosted that. Now I can say to myself: 'Liu, you are still capable of making it. You can finish under 13 seconds again'."

Although the result was 0.19 off his personal best of 12.88 seconds, it was impressive.

"During the rehabilitation from the injury Liu decided to have something change to improve his performance. It was not an easy decision for him," Feng Shuyong, head coach of China's track and field team, told China Daily.

"After changing to the seven-step technique, Liu is concentrating even harder on his training and his goal is much more clear. Although it will take some time for him to return to his peak, the result this time gives us confidence."

Liu will meet Oliver again at the Diamond League Eugene stop in the US on June 4.

For coach Sun, Liu's start and the final two hurdles are where he needs to improve.

"Liu's skill is now stable when stepping on to the starting line, which is very good," Sun said. "His physical condition is very close to during his peak, but he still has to work hard on his starting and leaping over the last two hurdles."

The World Championships in Daegu, South Korea, in September, will provide an important test for him with the London Olympics only a year away.

"For the Daegu World Championships, we expect Liu to get a medal," said Feng, who is also vice-director of China's Athletics Administrative Center.

"The rivals at the worlds will be strong and there are three rounds there. It requires much more strength. I hope Liu can finish within 13 seconds in training, which will make him more competitive at the worlds."