JAMES Coleman may not have managed to defend his age group title at last weekend’s Duathlon World Championships but considers his bronze medal an even bigger achievement than the gold one he got his hands on last year.

The 28-year-old, from Westwood, secured a third-placed finish in the 25-29 age group (2:01:54) in Pontevedra, Spain, and admits that he was forced muster all of his strength to avoid throwing in the towel midway through Sunday’s gruelling race.

“It was categorically the hardest race I’ve ever done because things didn’t go well for me just beforehand,” said Coleman, who won a stunning gold on his international debut at last year’s championships in Canada.

“My bike had got damaged on the way over there and then I picked up a bug just before the race.

“It was so hot out there and I was completely dehydrated. I went through all of my gels early on and on the second lap of the run, I just wanted to give up.

“So I was so happy to come away with the bronze medal and I think that it is an even bigger achievement for me than winning last year.

“I definitely want to carry on going to world championships and I think that I’ll try to put together a proper training plan from now on, rather than just cycling to work and running on my lunch break.

“I’ll also make sure not to drink the hotel water before a race.”

FOR MORE SPORTS NEWS, REPORTS & PICTURES SEE FRIDAY'S WILTSHIRE TIMES AND FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @WTSport