Alan Webb just can't believe he's won in Paris(Getty Images)

There is no shortage of drama involved as we turn our attention to what is expected in the middle distances at the 11th IAAF World Championships in Athletics, Osaka, Japan (25 Aug to 2 Sep).

MEN –

While the American team is expected to take home its hefty share of gold from Osaka, perhaps no title would be more celebrated that a victory in the 1500m – the metric mile – by recently-minted mile national record holder Alan Webb. Webb, who's been making headlines in the US since his 18th birthday, has certainly come of age this season, leading the world at both 1500m (3:30.54) and the mile (3:46.91). And he’s backed up those performances with a 1:43.84 PB in the 800m - the year's second fastest - and a solid 3:30.54 PB victory over a world class field in Paris. Clearly, the 24-year-old arrives in Osaka with solid credentials to become the first American to claim a 1500m title.

Daniel Kipchirchir Komen, currently the top Kenyan miler, will arrive on the back of some fast performances as well - 3:32.44/3:48.28 - aiming to prove he can deliver in championship competition. Reigning champion Rashid Ramzi of Bahrain will also return to defend his title, but has yet to race this year. Bernard Lagat (USA), Mehdi Baala (FRA) and Ivan Heshko (UKR) also have the big race experience to be significant factors.

As per usual, the 800m promises to be an entertaining contest, with Russia’s Olympic champion Yuriy Borzakovskiy and Kenya’s perennial speedster Wifred Bungei leading the charge. Borzakovskiy has won four of his seven contests – he was runner-up in the others – utilizing virtually the same sit-and-kick strategy; Bungei (1:44.14) has won three of five. The Russian has finished runner-up in the last two editions, while both will be chasing their first world titles outdoors.

Besides Webb, three others have dipped under 1:44 this season:  South African Mbulaeni Mulaudzi (1:43.74), Youssef Saad Kamel (1:43.87) of Bahrain, and Moroccan Amine Laalou (1:43.94). Kamel's father, Kenyan Willy Konchellah, won back-to-back titles in 1987 and 1991.

WOMEN -

While two women - Ukraine's Yuliya Krevsun (1:57.63) and Russia's European Champion Olga Kotlyarova (1:58.14) - may have run faster this season, none can boast the big meet experience and success of Maria Mutola (1:58.21). With four victories in five outings, the 34-year-old from Mozambique cannot be underestimated as she chases her fourth outdoor title.

Kotlyarova has been less consistent, but seems to be peaking at just the right time, as is Russian No. 2 Svetlana Cherkasova (1:58.37). Cuba's reigning champion Zulia Calatayud - third at the Pan American Games -  has yet to decide if she'll defend her title.

In Helsinki, Russian Tatyana Tomashova (4:02.8) became the second woman to win two 1500m titles - the first reigning champion to successfully defend - and Osaka will be seeking an unprecedented third. The fact that she's barely among the world's 10 fastest coming in is quite misleading: prior to her 2005 triumph she run just 4:04.64.

She'll be joined by fast domestic company - world leader Yelena Soboleva (3:57.30) and Yuliya Chizhenko-Fomenko (4:00.7) - while Maryam Yusuf Jamal (3:59.0 SB), among the world's fastest the past few seasons, will be looking to avenge her fourth place finish from Helsinki where she was literally knocked out of contention by Chizhenko-Fomenko who was later disqualified.

Bob Ramsak for the IAAF