Paralympic runner Michael Roeger taking on coach at national athletics championships

The two-time Paralympian and right-arm amputee is aiming to make history by reaching the final of the 1500 metres, qualifying to contest the open category at the national titles.

Roeger, 25, will even compete against his coach, Canberra's running stalwart Philo Saunders, who is targeting a breakthrough medal moment at his 15th consecutive Australian championships.

Queensland Paralympian Carlee Beattie, also a congenital arm amputee, qualified for the women's open long jump at last year's nationals, finishing seventh.

But Roeger's qualification is even rarer given it's on track. Athletics Australia couldn't find another Paralympian on their records to match that feat.

Roeger wants to make the most of the opportunity and qualify for the 12-man final with a new world record in his T46 class.

Her ran almost a five-second personal best in Melbourne a week ago to qualify for the nationals - the second fastest time ever in his class.

"I'm feeling good and ready to break the world record,'' said Roeger, his run of 3 minutes 51.08 seconds within a whisker of the world record, 3:50.2. "Who knows, I might even make the final, which would be amazing.

"I've always had a goal in the back of my mind to race against the able-bodied guys. I've finally done that with a big breakthrough.

"There's no reason why I can't go four seconds quicker again this week. Back in training I've been flying. It's exciting. The belief is there now, the world record is less than a second away, that's even more motivation.

"To make an open able-bodied final would be very special. It's hard for me because a lot of the time it's me out in front and time-trialling [in Australian Paralympic events]. These guys are going to be pulling me around. I've got nothing to lose, anything's possible."

For most of his life, it was Paralympic competition that seemed foreign to Roeger.

Born a twin, without the lower-half of his right arm, Roeger was never held back while growing up in Langhorne Creek, South Australia.

Roeger, laughing, said he may even intimidate a few of his competitors.

"People always put out their right hand [to shake and greet],'' Roeger said.

"A lot of people probably think 'who's this bloke with one arm, what's he doing in this field?'. But a lot of them won't want to be beaten by me. It's all fun; I reckon I'll surprise a few people.

"I'm lucky in a way, I've never had to adjust in life, I knew no different.

"All my life I'd been competitive in sports I played - basketball, [ AFL] footy. So moving to Paralympic races was a little bit hard for me.

"I still get jitters watching AFL. I could take a bloody good overheard mark. I used to handball with my stump, kick left foot or right foot, it didn't matter. I just really loved team sport. I hung the boots up in 2005 with a premiership with [Langhorne Creek] under-18s in the Great Southern Football League."

Roeger has focused on athletics since 2005, arriving in Canberra on an AIS scholarship in 2009.

Having claimed two bronze medals at last year's Paralympic world championships, he wants gold at the Rio Paralympics in 2016.

"Bronze at a world champs last year meant a lot to me, so I can't imagine how it would feel getting gold at a Paralympics - that's a priority. But also mixing it with the open able-bodied guys is high up on the list; that's nearly as important to me - running with everyone in an open field. I think if more Paralympic athletes can mix it with the open able-bodies, it's going to lift the profile of the sport."

Saunders, 37, and a physiologist at the AIS, says he is in "career-best shape" and an "outside chance" of Commonwealth Games qualification for Glasgow this year.

Saunders hopes he and Roeger can both be "winners".

"I'm hoping to get as medal; this is my 15th straight open nationals and I've been fourth, fifth, sixth most years, around that mark," Saunders said.

"I hope we're in the same heat, it'll be quite exciting if he can get the world record. I think he's got plenty more to give, so I think the world record is only a matter of time now."