Sally Pearson's bid to reclaim her status as the world's best sprint hurdler steps up a notch on Sunday when she takes on a couple of her leading American rivals at the Golden Grand Prix meet in Japan.
It will be Pearson's first international outing for 2015 - a year where she aims to peak at the world championships in Beijing in August.
The reigning Olympic champion finished second to American Brianna Rollins at the 2013 world titles, having previously won the world 100m hurdles crown in Daegu, South Korea in 2011.
Pearson and coach Ash Mahoney were encouraged by her strong showing at the national championships in Brisbane in March when she won in a slick time time of 12.59 seconds.
"I've been trying to change my race a bit, especially my start, working toward getting it back to the good old days in 2011 and 2012 where I was the best starter in the world, and (until Brisbane) my start had been a bit off this year," Pearson said.
"I have been beaten out of the blocks and that's something I'm not used to.
"We have tried to get my quick start back to where it was and the information we have now shows that I am starting faster than I ever have, which is exciting.
"To me the start is the most important thing about my race and if I can nail that then not many people can catch me from there."
Pearson will make two overseas trips this year before the world championships, interspersed with a training block on the Gold Coast.
After racing in Kawasaki, the Queenslander will contest Diamond League meets in Doha, Rome, Birmingham and New York before returning home.
The second stint involves three more Diamond League races in Lausanne, Monaco and London.
Pearson's toughest competition on Sunday is likely to come from Americans Queen Harrison and Kristi Castlin.
The other Australians competing at the Golden Grand Prix are Lauren Wells (400m hurdles), Melissa Breen (100m), Jeff Riseley (800m), Heidi See (1500m), Brandon Starc (high jump), Hamish Peacock (javelin) and Brooke Stratton (long jump).
Dani Samuels, the 2009 discus world champion, will once again begin her international campaign at the Werfer-Cup in Weisbaden, Germany this weekend.
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