Australia's Commonwealth Games hero John Steffensen narrowly missed a place in the men's 400m final at the World Championships.
Steffensen finished fourth in his semi-final in Osaka in a time of 44.95 seconds in a disappointing result.
But the charismatic Aussie is confident he can go at least one step further in Beijing in 2008.
Steffensen looked strong through the bend but was unable to go with the world's elite, including heat winner LaShawn Merritt (44.31), in the final stages.
First and second from each of three heats earned automatic qualification for the final with the two fastest times outside that six also through to the final. Steffensen's time, slower than the season best he recorded in the first round, was third quickest.
He was .23 seconds outside the personal best he turned in to win the 2006 Commonwealth Games gold in Melbourne.
After the race Steffensen quickly turned his attention to the future.
"My year's been up and down," he said.
"I tried my best and I hope I did Australia proud. I'll be back next year with a vengeance and Ill make sure I can go one step better and win a medal."
The improving Sean Wroe (45.25) also missed out on the final after he finished fifth in his heat.
"I knew that I had to run a PB to get any further into the championships," Wroe said.
"To pull out a PB in the championships at this time of the year, I can't ask for anything more."
Wroe's race was won by American Angelo Taylor (44.45) while, in the other, world-leading 2005 champion Jeremy Wariner (44.34) held off the challengers.
The Australian pair will now turn their attention to Saturday's 4 x 400m relay.
In other events, Patrick Johnson finished eighth in his 200m semi-final with a time of 20.73 seconds.
In Thursday night's finals Jana Rawlinson will battle for a podium finish in the women's 400m hurdles final.
The 2003 world champion has drawn lane five with Russia's Yuliya Pechenkina - the 2005 world champion - in lane six.
Victorian Craig Mottram's 5000m first round will follow Rawlinson's run while youngster Jeff Riseley will contest the first round of the men's 800m earlier in the evening.
And Australia will be well represented in the men's pole vault with world No.1 and 2 Steve Hooker and Paul Burgess leading the contenders.