OSAKA: With the Beijing Olympics three months away, China's all-conquering hurdler Liu Xiang (pic) demolished the field at the Japan Grand Prix -- then declared he could have run faster.

The 24-year-old Liu also said he felt no particular pressure ahead of August's Games on home soil, despite him undoubtedly being China's best hope for a gold medal in track and field at the Olympics.

Liu, who became Asia's first Olympic track gold medallist in Athens four years ago, coasted to victory in 13.19 in the 110-metre hurdles in wet and cold conditions in Osaka on Saturday in his first outdoor race of the season.

A day earlier, American David Oliver won the Qatar Super Grand Prix in 12.95 for one of the fastest times in history, but Liu said the poor weather in Osaka had held him back.

"I don't feel any pressure," he said, referring to the threat from Oliver. "I believe I could have run under 13 seconds if the weather was fine and conditions were good.
"The most important thing is to run your best performance in any condition.

"I've been competing in this grand prix in Osaka every year. It's always my first outdoor race of a season. I'm really satisfied with my time of 13.19 -- I was able to get off to a good start in the Olympic year."

Liu knows that China's 1.3 billion population fully expects him to take gold in Beijing, but is confident he can deliver if he performs at his best.

"I've competed in the Athens Olympics and I've already become the champion. I just try to be positive and try to do 100 per cent of what I can do in Beijing," he said.

In Athens, Liu equalled the previous world record of 12.91 seconds.

He then broke the 13-year-old world mark by clocking 12.88 in Lausanne two years ago and went on to complete his collection by winning the world outdoor title and the world indoor 60m hurdles title in Valencia in March.

"The difference from four years ago is that I am physically stronger and I run faster," Liu said earlier in comments sure to send a shiver down the spine of opponents such as Oliver.

China's superstar's build-up to the Games continues with the Olympic test event in Beijing on May 22 and three more races in the United States. -- AFP