Tim Benjamin has targeted a place in the finals of the 400m

The 25-year-old has suffered a torrid season through injury and also split with coach Colin Jackson last month.

But he says he is determined to find the form that propelled him to fourth in the world rankings two years ago.

"I'll take one step at a time and I'd really like run sub 45 seconds, that should get me a final place," he said.

Tim Benjamin's 400m masterclass

I'd just like to get towards where I was in 2005, I was in fantastic form Tim Benjamin

Benjamin was added to the Great Britain team for the Championships after running the quickest time in the UK this year at the London grand prix earlier this month.

The Cardiff product's 45.28 sec finish was enough to convince selectors to pick him for the 400m and 4x400m races.

Over the last two years, he has suffered with groin and foot injuries which have hampered his progress but now he is fighting back.

"After everything that's happened this year, at one point it didn't look like I was going, but in one race it all turned round," said Benjamin.

"I'd just like to get towards where I was in 2005. I was in fantastic form, top five in the world.

"If I can find another half a second which I smashed a big chunk off in Crystal Palace by racing a little better, then I think I'll be in with a good shout.

"I'd really like to try and get back to my best performances. I feel like I'm starting to get there and I'd like to come back with a sub-45 performance."

But he admits competition is going to be tough, particularly in the 400m race.

"The event has moved on massively�but hopefully it will bring the best out of me and it's going to be a lot harder than last time around."

Benjamin also hit out at claims that he split from Colin Jackson last month because he couldn't handle the pressure.

"It's nothing to do with that whatsoever," he said.

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"I can take anything that anyone throws at me. I just keep running until I stop. That's it. There's no pain barrier with me, I just keep going.

"It just didn't work for me and I think my performances in the first half of the season reflected that.

"I feel a lot more relaxed about my running."

Other Welsh athletes making the trip to Japan are David Greene (4x400m), Christian Malcolm (4x100m) and Tracey Morris (marathon).