China's Olympic and world champion Liu Xiang took his first open training with a breeze mood here on Tuesday after his surgery in the United States.

The 25-year-old hurdler was just back to China after having received a successful foot surgery and three months' rehabilitation in the United States.

Liu, who claimed the very first Olympic gold medal for China in a men's track event in Athens, had been forced to withdraw from the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games due to the foot injury, limping off the field before his first heat started.

Since Liu's return to China on Sunday, local doctors have taken a through discussion over his rehabilitation, while his coach Sun Haiping has been in charge of his training programs.

During the open training session starting from 8:30 a.m. in a training base of Shanghai, the hurdler completed several groups of special and rehabilitating training programs with skill and ease. Also he jogged for half a lap.


Sun Haiping (L), the coach of Chinese 110m hurdle star Liu Xiang works on Liu's foot prior to a training session in Shanghai, east China, March 10, 2009. Liu started his first training class Tuesday, following his coming back to China on Monday after a successful foot surgery and three-month rehabilitation in the United States. (Xinhua Photo)
Working hard on recovery training, Liu did not respond any question and only gave a relaxed smile once in a while.

"As a young man, he adapted to the time difference and resumed more quickly. I have confidence in his physical capabilities," his coach Sun said.

"We feel better after coming home. Now Liu Xiang has regular training schedules and rest according to timetable. He also receives physical therapy every evening."

It has been widely cared whether or not Liu could soon be back to the competitive track, but the coach noted that the sprinter is not able to hurdle and wear spiked shoes for now.

"We should be patient enough and wait for his new muscle and tendon grow. It is expected that he can do this after two months in term of the normal medical rules," Sun said.

To help healing Liu's right foot, the special larger track shoes will also be designed to protect the hurdler in his daily training.

From Tuesday, Liu's training will be mainly focused on "special training programs", especially on strengthening the intensity and running speed.

As for Liu's future plans of training and competition, Sun said it depends on how Liu recovers.

Source: Xinhua