Chalmers ready for World Championship bow

That is according to Guernsey Athletics development officer Tom Druce, who believes that with the right race execution, the 22-year-old will at least make the 400m hurdles semi-finals.

Following the unveiling of unsurprisingly star-studded fields in Oregon, the 48.88sec. man enters seeded 17th on season’s best – with 24 to make the semis.

‘If you are running 48s, you are there completely on merit and you are not just there to make up the numbers,’ Druce said.

‘You know his mentality as well – he does not go in with low expectations.'

‘I am pretty confident that he is going to make that semi-final, definitely.'

‘If he runs a personal best in the semi-final, then who knows? He has got a chance [of a finals spot].’

Qualifying for a world final has required a mid-48sec. time in recent editions – that is no mean feat.

The mouthwatering field is headlined by the outstanding Karsten Warholm and Rai Benjamin, both of whom are in uncertain shape following injury, together with current world leader Alison dos Santos of Brazil.

Chalmers had told the Guernsey Press last week while on a training camp in America: ‘I’m definitely aiming for a good personal best and getting through the rounds and seeing how far I can go against the best in the world.’

The Guernsey record-holder had taken encouragement from his winning run at the UK Championships, where he ran 49.21 in windy conditions and despite easing before the line.

Druce agreed, but he warned that there is no room for complacency.

‘Having seen the way he ran in Manchester, in those conditions, I think if he can finish the race properly, he has got a personal best in there.'

‘He has got to concentrate. He cannot go into the heat thinking “I’ve got this”, but if he does [concentrate], he will get through that.’

• The Oregon 2022 World Championships will be shown live by the BBC.

The 400m hurdles heats start at 9.20pm BST on Saturday, with the semi-finals from 2.03am BST on Monday.

The final is at 3.50am BST on Wednesday.