The 31-year-old Londoner put in a fantastic display in the Netherlands four years ago when he claimed three golds in the T54 100, 400 and 1500 metres and a silver in the T54 the 200m.

Having since stepped up to longer distances, Weir is set to compete in the T54 800m, 1,500m 5,000m and potentially the marathon at the 10-day championships in New Zealand, which begin tomorrow.

He believes he will do well despite his preparations being hampered by a shoulder injury suffered in November following his victory in the 2010 New York Marathon.

"The competition is so fierce at the moment and we have seen over the last two years that I am not getting slower but people are getting quicker and catching me up," said Weir.

"So I have to be at the top of my game.

"I have got some good strong points, especially my tactical awareness, and I know I am capable of winning.

"The standard is so high that you can't go out and say that I am going to win X amount of gold medals – it is impossible.

"People have gone professional since Beijing and it is difficult to say I am going to medal.

"I still think I am seen as the man to beat even though Marcel Hug of Switzerland got my world records this year.

"However, I always do well on the world stage, whether that is the Paralympics or World Championships.

"The last World Championships were the first stepping stone in my career and when everyone started noticing David Weir – I achieved a lot and it was a special year."

The four-time London Marathon winner, who will be hoping to gain crucial qualifying points for the London 2012 Paralympics, admitted he wants to send a message to his rivals and continue the form he showed at the team holding camp in Auckland earlier this month.

"I need to show people that I am still there and still one of the best in the world and obviously with that carry things on for the rest of the season," he said.

"The Aviva-funded camps are an essential part of my preparation for major championships and I just hope I can maintain what I have been doing in Auckland because it has been really good.

"It is a bit difficult coming in with a shoulder injury but I feel positive, I've had no reaction.

"I know my training has gone well and that I am getting better each day and the main thing for me now is fitness."

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