Liu may make comeback at Shanghai Golden Grand Prix

By Chen Qian  |   2009-1-7  |     ONLINE EDITION

Chinese star hurdler Liu Xiang may compete for the first time after ankle surgery at the Golden Grand Prix in September in Shanghai, a local newspaper reported today.

Liu is now rehabilitating the injury in the United States.

Sun said Liu will be able to walk fast or jog by the end of this month, his coach Sun Haiping said.

Liu's anticipated September return means he will miss the World Championships in Berlin in August.

"Liu's confidence would be affected if he couldn't get a good result at the World Championships," Sun was quoted as saying.

Xie Wenjun may compete in the World Championships as he is one of five Chinese athletes who can run under 13.55 seconds, the report said.

Liu will only return to competition once he can run 13.20 seconds, Sun said.

Liu had ankle surgery in Texas on December 5 Beijing time. The injury forced him to pull out of the Beijing Olympics last year.

The surgery was successful. Dr Clanton said he was confident that Liu would recover fully in six months and be able to compete again at the level he was at before the injury, according to an earlier report.