Liu Dezhu

Liu Dezhu is a Chinese middle-distance runner specializing in the 800 metres. In 2024, he set the Chinese short track national record in the 800 m with a time of 1:46.63. He also won a bronze medal in [2023 Asian Athletics Championships – Men's 1500 metres|the Athletics at the 2022 Asian Games – Men's 1500 metres|1500 m at the 2023 Asian Athletics Championships].

Career

Dezhu first represented China at the 2017 Asian Indoor Games, advancing to the semifinals but not qualifying for the final. After several podium finishes, he would win his first Chinese Athletics Championships title in 2021 in the 1500 metres. At the 2021 National Games of China, Dezhu won bronze medals in the 800 m and 1500 m.
In 2023, Dezhu won a bronze medal in the 1500 m and finished 4th in the 800 m at the 2023 Asian Athletics Championships. He also finished 7th in the World University Games 1500 m that year, as well as finishing 5th and 6th in that year's Asian Games 800 m and 1500 m respectively.
In March 2024, Dezhu set a short track Chinese national record in the 800 m, running 1:46.63 at the Chinese Indoor GP Series III in Jinan.

Personal life

Dezhu was born to a poor rural family in Baise, Guangxi, China. He trained as much as per day and in 2016 he was selected for the Guangxi regional athletics team. One year later, he was named to the national team and shortly after began training in Kenya. He studies at Central China Normal University.