The Australian team will be buoyed by Jana Rawlinson's extraordinary gold medal in the 400m hurdles when action resumes on day seven of the world athletics championships.

Returning to the big stage only eight months after the birth of her son Cornelis, Rawlinson showed remarkable grit in the final straight to hold off the challenge of defending champion Yuliya Pechonkina and win in 53.31 seconds - the second fastest time of her career.

Rawlinson had previously won the world title in 2003.

"I don't think I've ever done so much to the eighth hurdle," Rawlinson said.

"I paid for it a little bit over nine and 10 but once I came over the 10th (and last) hurdle I just wanted it like you've got no idea.

"Legitimately I think it's as hard as giving birth to a baby.

"... I just wanted it more than you can possibly imagine."

In a big night for Australia, Craig Mottram advanced with ease to Sunday's 5,000m final.

Last year's world No.1 Steve Hooker also moved into Saturday's pole vault decider, but countryman Paul Burgess was eliminated.

On Friday, Sarah Jamieson and Lisa Corrigan will be chasing berths in the women's 1,500m final.

In a near-repeat of last year's Commonwealth Games final, Jamieson found herself boxed in on the last lap of her heat two days ago, but managed to extricate herself in the nick of time to finish seventh and scrape into the semis.

Jamieson was second at last year's Commonwealth Games and would be disappointed if she did not at least reach the final in Osaka.

Canberra-based Corrigan, racing at her first major championships, has been drawn in the other semi.

Earlier in the day, triple Commonwealth Games champion Jane Saville will compete in the 20km walk.

Saville's best finish at a world titles was seventh back in 1999 although she is best remembered for the heartbreaking disqualification at the Sydney Olympics, when the gold medal was almost in her grasp.

Also in action are Jarrod Bannister and Joshua Robinson in javelin qualifying and an Australian squad in the first round of the 4x100m relay.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP