By David Martin, PA Sport

Defending 400 metres hurdles champion Felix Sanchez will not underestimate a single rival at the World Championships in Paris - even though he has an unbeaten record stretching back to July 2001.

The superb Dominican Republic star has clocked up more than 20 successive victories since Japan's Dai Tamesui ruffled his feathers in the Zagreb Grand Prix.

Sanchez, his country's first-ever world champion, might be taking an unblemished record to the Stade de France - but he still has massive respect for every single opponent.

The 25-year-old possibly has an advantage over his rivals - he studied psychology at the University of South California.

He initially wanted to be a baseball player, but a wrist injury as a teenager saw him convert to track and field where his career has been expertly enhanced by British-born coach Avondale Mainwairing.

Before the season seriously got underway, Los Angeles-based Sanchez strongly believed Sydney Olympic gold medallist Angelo Taylor would offer the stiffest opposition in Paris.

But a groin injury saw Taylor fail to make Team USA, where there is no sympathy for sickness or illness.

The first three crossing the finishing line in the sudden-death final are automatically chosen.

Taylor might not be there, but Sanchez - who wears a flashing wristband on his right arm even when competing - has identified other key opponents.

He said: "There is Dai Tamesui, simply for the fact that he is the last person to beat me.

"Okay it has been two years now but I don't forget these things - and he beat me by such a small margin (48.59 seconds compared to 48.60)."

Sanchez has not ruled out British number one Chris Rawlinson - who won a second European Cup final title this year.

The Dominican Republic ace has massive respect for the Briton - a trait common amongst competitors in the track's toughest event.

Sanchez explained: "The good thing is that despite all the tension and competitiveness, everyone is still cordial to me and I am to them.

"We respect each other on and off the track and I think this is important. When we meet in the hotel corridors we always say 'hello' and ask about one another."

There will be no room for banter when the 400m hurdles finalists line-up - but plenty afterwards.

And Sanchez added: "It would be sad if it wasn't that way, wouldnt it?"