Liu to defend hurdles title at world indoors

China's former Olympic champion Liu Xiang will defend his 60 metres hurdles title at the world indoor athletics championships in Doha next week.

The 26-year-old, who won the title in Valencia two years ago, will be making his return to top global competition for the first time since his Olympic title defence ended with an Achilles injury at the Beijing Games.

Liu, who returned to the track in his home city of Shanghai last September, said he was far from his best and would be no match for Cuba's Dayron Robles, who took Liu's 110m crown in Beijing.

"It is ridiculous to think that I will even get on the podium," he told China Sports Daily.

"My goal is to get to the final. At the moment, there is no doubt that I would lose to Robles in 60 or 110 metres. He is clearly the best in the world now."