Liu Xiang facts for kids

Liu Xiang is a common name in China, and many famous people and places share this name. The most well-known person named Liu Xiang is probably the amazing Olympic hurdler.

Liu Xiang the Olympic Hurdler

Liu Xiang (born in 1983) is a super famous Chinese track and field athlete. He is best known for being a hurdler, which means he runs and jumps over obstacles called hurdles. He became a national hero in China because of his incredible achievements in sports.

Early Life and Training

Liu Xiang was born in Shanghai, China. He started his sports journey in school, first trying out for high jump. Later, his coaches saw his speed and agility and encouraged him to switch to hurdling. He trained very hard, focusing on his technique and speed.

Olympic and World Records

Liu Xiang made history at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. He won the gold medal in the 110-meter hurdles event. This was a huge moment because he became the first Chinese man to win an Olympic gold medal in track and field. He also set an Olympic record with his time of 12.91 seconds.

In 2006, Liu Xiang broke the world record for the 110-meter hurdles, running it in an incredible 12.88 seconds. He also won a gold medal at the 2007 World Championships. His success made him one of the top hurdlers in the world.

Challenges and Retirement

After his amazing wins, Liu Xiang faced some injuries that made it hard for him to compete. He had to withdraw from the 2008 Beijing Olympics due to an injury, which was very disappointing for him and his fans. He tried to come back and competed in the 2012 London Olympics, but injuries continued to affect his performance.

Liu Xiang officially retired from sports in 2015. Even with his injuries, he is still remembered as one of China's greatest athletes. He inspired many young people to pursue their dreams in sports.

Other Famous People Named Liu Xiang

Many other important people throughout history have been named Liu Xiang. Here are a few:

Liu Xiang the Scholar

Liu Xiang (77 BC – 6 BC) was a very important scholar, historian, and poet during the Han dynasty in ancient China. He was like a super smart librarian and writer. He helped organize and preserve many ancient books and texts, which is why we know so much about that time period today. He also wrote important historical records and poems.

Liu Xiang the Warlord

Liu Xiang (1888–1938) was a military leader in China during a time of great change and conflict. He was a powerful figure in the Sichuan province and led his own army. He played a significant role in the politics of his region during the early 20th century.

Other Sportspeople

• Liu Xiang (born 1982) is a Chinese footballer, meaning he plays soccer.
• Liu Xiang (born 1996) is a Chinese swimmer who has competed in various swimming events.

Places Named Liuxiang

There are also several places in China named Liuxiang:

• Liuxiang, Anhui is a town located in the Anhui province.
• Liuxiang Township, Gansu is a township in Gansu province.
• Liuxiang Township, Guangxi is another township, found in Guangxi province.
• Liuxiang Subdistrict is a subdistrict in the city of Taiyuan, Shanxi province.

See Also

• Xiangliu: A fascinating nine-headed snake monster from Chinese mythology that is said to cause floods.