Looking to the distance contests, several of the sport’s biggest names will be chasing even more superlatives to add to their growing collections at the 11th IAAF World Championships in Athletics, Osaka, Japan (25 Aug to 2 Sep).

MEN –

While Kenenisa Bekele may have succeeded his mentor Haile Gebrselassie as a multi World record holder, the 25-year-old Ethiopian still has catching up to do in the ‘titles won’ category. Thus far this season, there’s been no evidence submitted to suggest that Bekele is not an overwhelming favourite to capture his third consecutive 10,000m title. While Bekele looms larger-than-life, his fiercest competition looks to come from compatriots Sileshi Sihine, Gebregziabher Gebremariam, and Tadesse Tola, although Eritrea’s Olympic bronze medallist Zersenay Tadesse, who just missed a sub-27:00 clocking with his solo run at the All African Games, can’t be discounted.

In the 5000m, considerable attention will be directed to Australian Craig Mottram, the reigning bronze medallist, as he seeks to end an African stranglehold on the event that began with the second edition of the Championships in 1987. Although Bekele, the world leader won’t be in the race, Ethiopian Sileshi Sihine, the defending silver medallist, and Kenyans Eliud Kipchoge (2003 champion) and Isaac Songok, will be.

With two-time defending champion Saif Saaeed Shaheen sidelined with injury, the 3000m Steeplechase spotlight will fall on Olympic champion Ezekiel Kemboi, who’ll be looking to improve on his two successive runner-up finishes after winning the notoriously difficult Kenyan trials. He’ll be joined by Brimin Kipruto, who finished behind Kemboi at both the Olympic Games and in Helsinki two years ago. European hopes rest on the shoulders of Mustafa Mohamed, whose 8:05.75 last month eclipsed the Swedish national record set by Olympic champion Anders Garderud at the Montreal Games in 1976.

WOMEN –

Two years ago in Helsinki, Tirunesh Dibaba made history when she became the first woman to capture both the 5000 and 10,000m titles in the same championships. In Osaka, she'll be shooting for a record third title in the 5000, and an unprecedented second title in the 10,000m. She’s race only once outdoors this season – winner of the 5000m in Paris – but it’s hard to imagine that she would choose to double is she wasn’t prepared. In the longer race, she’ll be joined by compatriot Mestawet Tufa, the world leader, who looks to be the primary challenger.

In the 5000, she’ll face perennial rival and compatriot Meseret Defar, the Olympic champion who earlier this season lowered her own World record in the event to 14:16.63 at the IAAF Golden League kick-off in Oslo. This head-to-head is certainly one of the most anticipated of the championships. Finishing second in Oslo was Kenyan Vivian Cheruiyot (14:22.51) who also dipped under the previous World record. Morocco’s Mariem Alaoui Selsouli emerged as a solid medal threat after her largely solo 14:36.52 victory in Rome.

With Uganda’s defending champion Dorcus Inzikuru out on maternity leave, the focus clearly falls on the Russian trio of Gulnara Samitova-Galkina (9:11.68 SB), the World record holder, Yekaterina Volkova (9:13.35) and Tatyana Petrova (9:14.35), the year’s three fastest. Kenyan Eunice Jepkorir (9:14.52) will also be a solid podium contender.