Despite slashing 0.03 seconds off a 13-year-old world record, Liu Xiang has yet to reach his potential, a Chinese coach said on Thursday.

Sheng Yueming, the deputy head coach of the Shanghai hurdles team, told the Shanghai Oriental Television that Liu would improve on his new world record sooner or later.

"I think he can run 12.51 seconds," said Sheng, who, with Sun Haiping, pushed Liu Xiang to international fame.

Liu broke the 110 meters hurdles world record at the Athletissima Grand Prix meeting in Switzerland on Tuesday, clocking 12.88 seconds.

The previous record of 12.91 was set by Britain's Colin Jackson in August 1993. Liu had equaled that time at the 2004 Olympics when he became China's first-ever sprint Olympic gold medallist.

(Xinhua News Agency July 14, 2006)