Star hurdler Liu Xiang will lead China's team to this month's athletics world titles in Japan, where it is hoped a recent performance pact made between coaches and officials will harvest a bumper crop of medals.

Liu Xiang from China gazes the hurdles before the 60 meters hurdles competition during the track and field meeting at the indoor arena in Dusseldorf, Germany on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2007. Liu clocked 7.53 seconds and broke the conference record to earn his first title in the 2007 season. [Xinhua]Men's 110m hurdles world record holder Liu is currently below best form but still expects to inspire his fellow cast of Beijing hopefuls at next week's World Athletic Championships in Osaka, Japan.

National athletics head coach Feng Shuyong told the China Daily all coaches had signed a "responsibility deal" with the Chinese Athletics Association ahead of the last big meet before the 2008 Olympics.

Feng refused to detail the performance pacts, but said they placed more onus on coaches to elicit the best possible performances from their charges.

"We are going to Osaka for the gold, although we cannot guarantee anything," Liu's long-time coach Sun Haiping said, confirming the high standards set for China's finest.

"At present, Liu's form is at 80 percent of best, with the result of about 13.10 seconds. In the gearing up to the World Championships, we will make some adjustment and Liu will do better."

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