The National Senior and Junior Championships are now over and it's now on to the main track and field event of the summer, the IAAF World Champion-ships in Osaka, Japan, August 25 - September 2.

At the last World Champion-ships in Helsinki, Jamaica left the Finnish capital with one gold, five silver and two bronze medals. If all goes well, as far as current injuries are concerned, there is every chance that the island can either equal or surpass that tally in Osaka.

Jamaica's medal hopes have been jolted in the past two weeks by injuries to key members of the MVP Club. First it was Sherone Simpson, then hurdler Brigitte Foster-Hylton pulled out of her event at the championships, and Asafa Powell injured himself while winning the men's 100 metres final.

Fastest women

Once fully fit, all three were expected to be medallists in Osaka. Powell was everybody's favourite in the men's 100m gold and could have ensured another gold in the men's 4x100m, Simpson was the fastest women in the world last year over both 100m and 200m and she would have been expected to finish in the top three in both events. Foster-Hylton was the bronze medallist in the 100m hurdles two years ago and had started the season very well.

The World Championships is fully two months away so there is no reason to panic. All the athletes have ample time for their injuries to heal.

If Jamaica's best team arrives in Japan fit and well, I am expecting a tally of medals far greater than the eight in Helsinki.

Among the women, Veronica Campbell is my favourite for the women's 100m, but the winner could also be Simpson. Both should also medal in the 200m. The big, powerful Trecia Smith will have to be at her best to repeat her win in the triple jump, but she looks good enough for at least silver.

Jamaica won two medals in the 100m hurdles in Helsinki but the American women are stronger this time and I do not expect more than one medal in this event. With this being a very technical event, it will be difficult for Foster-Hylton, if she is eventually selected, to come back after injury and to challenge some of the top hurdlers in the world.

I am expecting Melaine Walker to show improvement in the 400m hurdles before the championships and go below 54 seconds. Any time below that mark should put her among the medals.

Sprint relay

The women should at least repeat the two medals they won in both relays in Helsinki. A sprint relay squad with Campbell, Simpson, Kerron Stewart, Keri-Ann Brooks and Simone Facey can win the gold medal, while the 4x400m squad headed by Novlene Williams and Shericka Williams should only be beaten by the Americans.

Once he faces the starter Powell will win a medal in the men's 100m. Bolt will find it hard to defeat the more experienced Americans, Tyson Gay and Wallace Spearmon in the 200m, but he should not beaten by anybody else.

While Jamaica will have representatives in the finals of the 400m and 400m hurdles, getting among the medals will prove difficult.

The remaining men's medals are likely to come in the relays. Even with Powell at his best, I do not expect Jamaica to beat the United States who have so many runners with sub-10 seconds clockings. With a clear run, Jamaica can win the silver medal. The Americans should also win the 4x400m, but Jamaica with a more balanced team than the one which captured bronze two years ago will push them all the way.

A 13-medal tally, therefore, looks well within Jamaica's grasp in Japan, but only if the island's top athletes are at their best.