Liu Xiang most popular athlete in China (May 19, 2007)

[Alex Ray]

Source: www.eastday.com (http://www.eastday.com)
Published: May 19, 2007

World number one hurdler Liu Xiang was crowned China's most popular athlete and player of the year at an awards ceremony for China's top ten athletes in Changsha, Hunan Province.

Liu Xiang won the two awards for his outstanding achievements in 2006, especially setting a new world record of 12"88 seconds for the men's 100m hurdles at Lausanne, Switzerland, in July 2006.

Liu Xiang's coach, Sun Haiping, also scooped the best coach award.

[ScottHughes]

World number one hurdler Liu Xiang was crowned China's most popular athlete and player of the year at an awards ceremony for China's top ten athletes in Changsha, Hunan Province.

Liu Xiang won the two awards for his outstanding achievements in 2006, especially setting a new world record of 12"88 seconds for the men's 100m hurdles at Lausanne, Switzerland, in July 2006.

Liu Xiang's coach, Sun Haiping, also scooped the best coach award.
I'm not surprised that he would be the favorite in China if he is the world's number 1 hurdler. That means he is not just the best in China, but also the best in the whole world. Naturally, the people of China would like the best most of all.

Do they have any other #1 athletes in other sports?