Liu Xiang begins training in isolation

As China's major hope of bringing home a gold medal in track and field, Liu has tried everything to ease the weight on his shoulder.

"I will stay in a good mood every day. The head coach and I will sometimes find ways to have fun on the track field. We will combine the games and training together. And also I will share jokes with my head coach."

Coach Sun has been very encouraged by Liu's healthy mental state.

"I am so glad to see Liu is in very good form, both physically and mentally," Sun said in comments last month, adding French star and 2005 champion Ladji Doucoure was in his prime but had fallen since he lost his focus.

Past and future

Concentrated and focused, Liu has had consistently strong performances in 2007.

Liu was dominant in all 12 races, winning nine of them and finishing in second once and third twice.

"Yes, it was a very important year for me. All the victories will boost my confidence ahead of the Olympic Games."

Liu, who broke the sport's world record in 2006, said his breakthrough in Osaka was a dream come true him, and gave him a shot in the arm.

"I had been dreaming of the world title before the tournament. I was third in 2003 and second in 2005.

"I didn't even expect to win as I caught a cold and a fever right before the competition. I was in the ninth track in the final. Everything appeared not in my favor. But I made it. Now I have won all major titles and I am able to take all the challenges."

Of the 70 IAAF events around the world between February and September, coach Sun said Liu will only take part in the ones most "suitable" to him, beginning with a couple February races in Europe.

Liu will compete in the traditional Osaka Grand Prix, where he is undefeated in the past four years.

"Osaka is not far away and the weather conditions are similar to Beijing's," Sun said.

Liu will also likely compete in May's New York Grand Prix or June's Prefontaine Classic in the US, events that will help them "know more about American rivals", as Sun said.