Liu Xiang eyes gold at London Olympics
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Chinese super star Liu Xiang said on Sunday that he would not be satisfied with only a medal at the 2012 London Olympic Games after winning the Shanghai Diamond League with a world leading time this season.
The former Olympic and world champion snapped David Oliver's unbeaten run of 18 matches to win the race in 13.07 seconds, his best result in more than three years.
"I think I can run inside 13 seconds this year. After today's victory, I am more confident, " he said.
"If I am lucky, I think I can win a medal in London. But I will not be satisified with only a medal."
Liu, who previously held the world record of 12.88 seconds, used a new technique of approaching the first hurdle with seven steps instead of eight, which proved effective competing against Oliver, bronze medalist in the Beijing Olympic Games.
The Shanghai native led all the way for the win. Oliver, who won the race here last year in 12.99, was second in 13.18 with his fellow American third in 13.24.
"I feel great," Liu said. "This is my first outdoor event this season. I reacted the fastest. I did a good job in my final dash. I am very satisfied with my result."
"I don't think Oliver ran his best. Maybe he has reserved some strength in the race."
But Oliver, unbeaten last season, said he ran a very good race, admitting that Liu was simply better.
"I will train harder and work harder for future races," he said. "I ran a good race, but Liu was better tonight."
Liu shocked the world after withdrawing from the Beijing Olympic Games citing a recurrence of chronic inflammation in his right Achilles tendon.
His injury was significant and also ruled him out of the 2009 world championships. He returned to competition after a 13-month absence at the Shanghai Golden Grand Prix in 2009 where he finished second behind Terrence Trammell.
He delared his full return to best form in last year's Guangzhou Asian Games, winning the gold medal before a crowd of 70,000 in 13.09 seconds - making him the third fastest athlete that season.
