BASINGSTOKE'S Rob Tobin will be inspired by Britain's class of 1991 as he continues his quest for more medals at the World Athletics Championships this weekend.

Tobin claimed a double medal haul at the European Indoor Championships earlier this year, snatching a 4x400m relay gold and individual 400m bronze Osaka represents a quantum leap in class and standard but the Basingstoke and Mid Hants athlete doesn't need reminding what happened the last time these championships were staged in Japan.

Hampshire pair Roger Black and Kriss Akabusi, plus John Regis and Derek Redmond, combined to win a famous 4x400m gold medal - just edging out the odds-on favourite Americans by one tenth of a second.

"People are talking a lot about what the team achieved in 1991 - especially with the championships coming back to Japan," said Tobin.

"I was only seven and I don't remember watching the race but Roger Black came to one of our training session and spoke to us about their preparations and what it meant to them afterwards.

"He showed us a video of the race and it was very inspiring and motivational. We've got a tradition of success and we want to follow it.

"The fact that people are still talking about that race 16 years later shows how much it meant to people".

Tobin was part of the British team that just missed out on a medal in Helsinki two years ago and claimed a relay silver at last year's European Championships in Gothenburg.

Although disappointed not to gain selection for the individual event, after a below par fifth place at the UK Championships, he insists a relay medal would be the perfect consolation.

"There's no other reason to be here other than get a medal," he added. "We ran 2.58 in Helsinki and came fourth and if we do that again this time, we're going to be right in the medal mix.

"It's a settled team and most of us have come through the junior ranks together. "We know the ins and outs of everyone and the team spirit is fantastic.

"I think the Helsinki experience will really help. There is no worse place to finish in a major championship than fourth - we won't want to feel like that again".