Irving Saladino starts firm favourite to become the first ever Panamanian world champion after boasting a flawless record from his seven competitions this year.

Saladino made a huge breakthrough in 2006, winning 15 competitions out of 17 and leaping a lifetime best of 8.56m to end the year as world No1. This season he has maintained the momentum, jumping 8.53m in Hengelo and in his last outing landing the Pan American title in Brazil.

With one of Saladino’s chief rivals, Louis Tsatoumas of Greece, absent with a back injury, few would bet against the Central American becoming only the fifth athlete to be crowned World long jump champion.

The man with a vested interest in keeping that figure to four is flamboyant American Dwight Phillips, who is seeking a hat-trick of World titles. He struck gold in the US championships in June, but has not yet rediscovered his old rhythm and his season’s best of 8.31m is some way short of his best.

The US challenge is bolstered by former basketball player Brian Johnson, a victor in Sheffield and Monaco this year, who has matched Phillips’ best mark of 8.31m.

Twice World silver medallist James Beckford is set for his sixth World Championship appearance but with a best of 8.37m the 32-year-old Jamaican cannot be discounted.

South African record-holder Godfrey Mokoena may be ten years Beckford’s junior but with a season’s best of 8.34m he is another who could feature in the medal shake up.

A European has never won this title but Italian Andrew Howe, 22, is hotly tipped to end the drought. The highly-rated American-born athlete, who is being advised by two-time former World long jump champion Carl Lewis, landed the European crown in Gothenburg last summer and with a personal best of 8.41m from last season he could threaten.

Chris Tomlinson set a British record of 8.29m in July and is another who could feature.

Osaka 2007 News Team/sl