By David Martin, PA Sport

Mozambique's Maria Mutola has been collecting World Championship gold medals as if they were confetti since making an inauspicious first appearance at global level in 1988.

On that occasion - not surprisingly - 15-year-old Mutola was eliminated in her 800 metres heat at the Olympic Games in Seoul.

But since that rookie start, Mutola has established herself as the greatest two laps racer in the history of world athletics - and her success looks likely to continue.

Mutola, who attended school in the hotbed USA track and field town of Eugene, thanks to a grant from the Olympic Solidarity Committee, has dominated her speciality event.

The reigning Olympic champion, Mutola, now 30, is the holder of seven World Championship gold medals, indoors or out, and looks a certainty to add to her total in Paris.

"Everything is going perfectly to plan for the defence of my title," was the understatement issued by Mutola after a superlative victory last month in Madrid.

Star of the show, at the Spanish Super Grand Prix, Mutola - who also holds two Commonwealth golds - ran the magnificent time of one minute, 55.55 seconds.

Not surprisingly it was easily the fastest in the world this year but it was also the quickest she has run for six years.

Her rivals were never in contention and the domination she has established has had a traumatic effect on her key rivals.

Indeed, last summer's European champion Jolanda Ceplak, is contemplating stepping-up to 1500 metres in her bid to gain a gold medal at the championships.

"I've tried every possible way to beat her," said Ceplak, the world indoor record holder.

"But whether I try to run the finish out of her or out-sprint her, she nearly always beats me."

Indeed, the Slovenian last year fell foul of the fast sprint finish belonging to the three-times African champion, losing five races to her despite bettering the two minutes barrier on 10 occasions.

Mutola is one of only two athletes in contention for the IAAF Golden Jackpot prize of a million dollars and looks certain to share, or win outright, that prize if she keeps a clean sheet in the remaining three Golden League meetings.

But although there are two League events in Berlin and Zurich before the World Championships begin, Mutola has already been preparing with ferocity for Paris.

"I've never known anyone train so hard as Maria," said British distance star Kelly Holmes.

While most contestants in the Stade de France, will be delighted if they can shatter the two minutes barrier, Mutola has achieved the feat on over 100 occasions.

"It doesn't matter how a race is run," insists Mutola. "I am experienced enough to know I can succeed off a fast or slow pace."

And at least one athlete, Ceplak, has admitted that is a fact with her likely decision to tackle the longer metric mile rather than her favourite 800 metres.