China's Liu Xiang will break the 110m hurdles world record at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing [Images], his coach predicted on Thursday.

Liu, 23, became the first Chinese man to win a track gold with a record-equalling 12.91 seconds at the Athens Games.

''Liu will make new breakthroughs in Beijing, doing even better than 12.91,'' coach Sun Haiping was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency.

''We will intensify strength training in the new season. If Liu can complete these tasks, his body quality and strength will be greatly improved.''

Liu had to pull out of an indoor tournament in Shanghai last weekend because of an ankle injury, but Sun said the hurdler was recovering well.

Liu was also subject to a random drugs check in Shanghai, according to Xinhua. Liu was one of China's most tested athletes in 2005 with 10 checks.

The hurdler's first real test on the track will come at the indoor world championships in Moscow [Images] in March where he will compete in the 60m hurdles. He took silver in the event at the 2004 indoor worlds in Budapest.