Tre Houston is hoping not to be overawed by the occasion when he competes in the 200 metre heats next week in his first World Track and Field Championships in Beijing.

Houston, Bermuda’s top sprinter, has already qualified for the Rio Olympics next year and will be in action next Tuesday against the top sprinters in the world as all eyes will be on Jamaica’s Usain Bolt, Justin Gatlin of the US as well as Tyson Gay and Asafa Powell in the 100 and 200 metres.

“Yes, this is my first ever World Championships and the feeling of waking up every day knowing I’ve made it to the big stage is definitely an accomplishment I’ve been working so hard at,” Houston said. “But I really wouldn’t get the buzz till the day I compete.”

Houston, 25, was still recovering from an Achilles injury during the XL Catlin National Championships in June but is raring to go after qualifying for both the Worlds and Olympics for the first time.

“I’m still numb and it’s hard to believe, but it shows you anything is possible with hard work and a good support team,” Houston said. “I’ve just have to keep myself fit and healthy now.”

Houston, who was ranked 52nd in the world for the 200 metres at the time, pulled out of the NatWest Island Games in Jersey in July to avoid aggravating the Achilles tendon injury ahead of the Pan Am Games where he failed to qualify for the 200 metres semi-finals after finishing fourth in his heat.

Houston’s time of 21sec was not quick enough for him to advance as one of the four fastest non-qualifiers and compete in the semi-finals. The 25-year-old, whose personal best is 20.42, is now focusing on improving on his performance at the Worlds next week after recovering from injury.

“Surprisingly, my body is holding up very well so no niggles at all leading up to my race,” he said. “Training is going well and my coach says I’m in a good place.

“My goal on the day is sky’s the limit, not putting limits on myself and anything can happen. I just have to make sure I execute. I believe in my training and most of all believe in myself.

“It’s been such a long and exhausting season. Reasons why I say that is because you put so much energy and time into major championships, especially it being three this summer.

“I would definitely say I made a complete 360 with my season this year with me being out for three months with a nagging Achilles injury.”