The thought of lining up against the world's best in a maiden senior international would make most 20-year-olds shake in their spikes.

But bottle and mental toughness is a necessity to succeed at the highest level and few exude these qualities more than recent AAA 800m champion Ricky Soos.

Those who doubted the Mansfield Harrier had what was required upstairs, following his disappointing display in last month's European Under 23 Championships, were silenced just one week later when he courageously front ran his way to his first senior AAA title (at the first time of asking) and thus into the British team for the ninth World Athletics Championships in Paris.

Without gleaning any background details, Soos' performance was doubtlessly eye-catching. But when you consider that the Loughborough student had the heartbreak of returning from a mentally and physically sapping championship in Poland literally days before the first round in Birmingham, then contesting three races in as many days in less than favourable conditions and to finally come out on top in the way he did, you realise what special qualities the young man has.

The selectors were certainly impressed as they has no hesitation in confidently naming the John Cooper-coached athlete in their first wave of selections for Paris, despite Belgrave's Neil Speaight already boasting the A standard qualifying time and second-placed and more experienced James McIlroy showing signs that he was rounding into decent shape.

This is all history for Soos now and he doesn't care who thinks he should be on the team for Paris and who has reservations. All that is on the Nottinghamshire man's mind at present is the first round of the 800 metres at 8.35pm local time in the celebrated surroundings of the Stade de France on Thursday.

The reasoning behind the selectors' decision to give the John Cooper-coached speedster the opportunity to show his paces in Paris was to gain championship experience at the highest level to ultimately benefit him in future years - and this is exactly how the Kirkby-in-Ashfield athlete plans to use the opportunity.

He explained: “All season it was my goal just to simply get to Paris and use it for experience so I can take it forward for future years.

“In fact I initially had three goals at the start of the season. The first was to medal at the European U23s, the second was to win the senior AAA title and the third was to get to Paris so I suppose two out of three isn't too bad. “

But will Soos add to his goals now he has made it to the French capital?

“Experience at the highest level is essential and I am really grateful to the selectors for giving me such a terrific opportunity and that is the main reason why I am here.

"But, saying that, I know there is no point in me being here if I don't go out and give 100 per cent – I have to do that for myself and everyone who supports me. On paper I am not expected to reach the semi-final but I can guarantee I will do my best.”

On the track, few could disagree that Soos looks the part with his seemingly effortless long-raking stride. This is primarily why many “experts” have tipped the softly spoken youngster to finally fill the void that has been left open since the halcyon days of British middle distance running in the 1980s.

On the subject that is inevitably raised, he says: “I remember little about Coe, Ovett, Cram and Elliott so have to go on what people tell me. Obviously I would like to eventually be remembered as they are now but all I can do is be patient and work hard with the aim of improving every year.

"I do not set any targets because to be truthful I do not know what my limits are but I feel I have plenty to improve on so hopefully I have a lot more to come.”

Soos' grounded outlook will do him no harm whatsoever when he enters the intimidating arena that is the Stade de France, with living legends such as world record holder Wilson Kipketer alongside him.

“I like running when the pressure is on and although nobody has put pressure on me I have put some on myself because I know for me to compete to the best of my abilities I need to be under some kind of pressure.

“I was not under any significant pressure at the AAAs but to be honest I was annoyed by the fact that all the pre-race build up was based around McIlroy and Speaight despite me running consistently well all year and this made me totally determined to win.

“I was asked by the BBC how nervous I will feel running against the best in the world but my manager Jonny Wootton always tells me they have two arms and two legs the same as you so respect them but don't be in awe of them, and that is what I intend doing.”

Soos, who arrived in Paris on Monday evening, was chauffeured to Birmingham airport by his truck-driving father Pat, whose final words to his eldest son were to the tune of: “Will I see you in Paris then on Sunday (the final of the men's 800m) then?” Soos junior grinned and replied: “Yes, but not on the track.”

He's more than likely right on this occasion. But will the conversation end differently next time?