Xiang, Liu (1983– )

Hurdler who became the first Chinese athlete to become Olympic champion, World champion, and the world record holder. He burst to international prominence at the 2004 Olympics in Athens when he won gold in the 110-metre hurdles final, tying the world record of 12.91 seconds. In July 2006, he lowered the mark to 12.88 seconds in a Grand Prix event in Lausanne, Switzerland. The following year, he won gold at the World Championships in Osaka, Japan, and in 2008 became World Indoor Champion in the 60-metre hurdles.

Career highlights

Olympic Games gold 2004

World Championships gold 2007; silver 2005; bronze 2003

World Indoor Championships gold 2008; silver 2004; bronze 2003

Asian Games gold 2002, 2006

In 2002, at the age of 18, he broke the world junior record and the Asian record with a time of 13.12 seconds. In 2006 he retained his title at the Asian Games in Doha. At the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, he bore the expectation of the whole of China, but after a run-up to the Games plagued by a troubled hamstring and starting problems, he pulled out in the heats, citing an Achilles injury.