Chinese hurdler Liu to make comeback in Shanghai

Liu XiangShanghai  - Just over a year after his tragic appearance at the Beijing Olympic Games, 110-metre hurdler Liu Xiang returns to the track Sunday at the Golden Grand Prix in his home town Shanghai.

The 26-year old has not competed since undergoing an operation on a ruptured Achilles tendon Liu suffered ahead of the August 2008 Olympics.

"There is a certain risk but I believe that I can run competitively at this stage," said Liu, winner of 110m hurdle gold at the 2004 Athens Games and 2007 world champion.

Liu was unable to defend his Olympic crown after limping away from the track with a foot injury. He underwent surgery on his right foot to correct the problem four months later in the United States.

His main challenger at the Beijing meet is likely to be American Terrence Trammell, an Olympic silver medallist in 2000 and 2004 as well as a silver medallist in the world championships in 2003, 2007 and 2009.(dpa)