Liu 'to miss World Championships'

Liu Xiang pulled up injured in Beijing after a false start

China's former 110m hurdles world record holder Liu Xiang is set to miss this summer's World Championships in Berlin, according to his coach.

Sun Haiping said Liu, 25, who withdrew from the Beijing Olympics because of an Achilles injury, wanted to concentrate on preparing for London 2012.

"Liu will not attend the worlds unless he is able to run at least 13.20 seconds before that," said Sun.

"Otherwise it makes no sense for us to go to Berlin."

He added: "That is likely to be too difficult for him.

"He might be eliminated after the first heat and that would be terribly damaging to his confidence."

Liu, who won the Olympic 110m hurdles title in Athens in 2004, underwent surgery on his injury last month and is currently on a rehabilitation programme in Houston.

His return to competitive action has been pencilled in for the Shanghai Grand Prix in September.

"Our key target is the London Olympics," added Sun.