Rawlinson through to semis

More photos from Paris

Britain's Chris Rawlinson shrugged off injury fears to reach the semi-finals of the 400m hurdles at the World Championships.

The 31-year-old finished in second place in his first-round heat at the Stade de France with a time of 48.73 seconds.

Manchester's Anthony Borsumato finished back in fifth place in heat two but ran hard enough to go through to the semis as one of nine fastest losers.

"I was scared stiff beforehand because I didn't know what to expect," said Rawlinson.

"I have to get down on the blocks and believe I can mix it with the rest of them.

"Everyone is close together, it's a bit like the 100m as anyone can win it."

Rawlinson has not raced for three weeks after picking up a groin injury.

But now the Commonwealth champion, who had back surgery in the winter, believes he is almost 100% fit again.

"I have got no aches or pains now and I am over the moon but I have got a lot more in my body and if my mind is ready I will be okay," said the Brit.

Mutola holds off Holmes

Britain's Abi Oyepitan was lucky to reach the quarter-finals of the 200m as a fastest loser after easing up in the final metres of her heat.

There was no such drama for Joice Maduaka, who claimed fourth in her heat in 23.11secs to progress automatically.

But the duo did not reach the semis after finishing in sixth and eighth spot respectively.

Commonwealth champion Lorraine Shaw made it through to Thursday's final of the women's hammer.

The Sale Harrier, who finished sixth in the worlds in Canada two years ago, produced a first-round effort of 66.10m to lie in fifth place overall in the qualifying round.

Britain's number one pole vaulter Nick Buckfield failed to reach the final after struggling to clear 5.60m in qualification.