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Liu fit for a comeback but not at top tier

By Lei Lei (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-07-01 09:16

SHANGHAI:Liu Xiang could already take part in low-level competition despite the fact his right foot injury is not yet fully healed, doctors have said.

"Liu's rehabilitation has gone very well until now and if he was a normal person instead of a world-class athlete, he would be cured," said Chen Shiyi, the sports medicine doctor at Shanghai Huashan Hospital in charge of Liu's treatment.

"In my opinion, he is capable of winning a national low-level competition, but not strong enough for a top-class international one."

Back in China for more than three months since undergoing surgery last December and three months of rehabilitation, Liu had his latest physical check in Huasha Hospital last Tuesday.

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Bone spurs were removed from an area where Liu's Achilles tendon connects to his ankle bone.

"As a top-class athlete, Liu requires a 100 percent healed Achilles tendon, which has to bear seven to eight times his body weight while hurdling," Chen said. "If he hurries back to heavy training with spiked shoes, he could easily injure it again. So we suggest that he wait for some time before picking up the same intensive training as before."

Previously, coach Sun Haiping revealed the hurdler would return to the track at September's Gold League in Shanghai before taking part in the National Games the following month.