In one of the most wide open races of the championships, any number of potential medallists could emerge from the opening event of the nine-day programme.

Former New York Marathon winner Hendrick Ramaala will be one expected to figure prominently. The South African finished fifth in the 2007 London Marathon and has proved one of the most consistent marathon runners of the past few seasons.

The fastest in the field in 2007 is Mubarak Hassan Shami of Qatar. The Kenyan-born athlete, formerly known as Richard Yatich, signalled his pedigree when he posted a new national record of 2:07:19 to win the Paris Marathon in April.

The host nation will seek to retain its World Marathon Cup title through its main individual hope the consistent Tsuyoshi Ogata, a former winner of the Fukuoka Marathon and World Championship bronze medallist. Osaka-based Satoshi Osaki (who has a best of 2:08:46) will also receive plenty of home support.

No nation has enjoyed more success in the men’s marathon at the World Championships than Spain and once again the Iberian nation will pose a powerful challenge. Julio Rey won the World Championships silver in 2003 and, with a personal best of 2:06:52, he is another potential medallist.

The Ethiopian squad is led by Gashaw Asfaw, the 2006 Paris Marathon winner, who recorded 2:09:53 to finish second in this year’s race in the French capital.

Surprisingly, Kenya has only once won the Men’s Marathon gold medal at a World Championships – 20 years ago through Douglas Wakiihuri. Hoping to end the drought will be Laban Kipkemboi, who set a personal best of 2:08:38 to finish third in the Seoul Marathon earlier this year.

After the late withdrawal of two-time World champion Jaouad Gharib, Morocco’s main hope is Abderrahim Goumri, who recorded an impressive 2:07:44 to finish second in April’s London Marathon.

A potential dark horse could be European silver medallist Viktor Rothlin. The Swiss athlete set an impressive personal best of 2:08:20 to win in Zurich in March.
 
Osaka 2007 News Team