JAMES Coleman is considering a tilt at next year’s World Age Group Triathlon Championships after tasting victory in his first-ever swim, bike and run event last weekend.

The 29-year-old, from Westwood, has competed in the last two World Duathlon Championships, winning a gold medal in the 25-29 category in Ottawa, Canada, in 2013, and bronze in Pontevedra, Spain, in 2014, but is considering taking on the world’s best age group triathletes in Cozumel, Mexico, in September 2016 after adding another string to his bow.

Coleman headed to the Wiltshire/Gloucestershire border for Sunday’s Cotswold Triathlon and finished top of the pile with a time of 2hrs 2mins 22secs, a result that has given him newfound motivation for races with a third discipline.

“I don’t really know what prompted me to do it – I think I just wanted to experience something new,” said Coleman.

“I started training at an outdoor pool near where I live in London but I’ve always had a mental block with swimming. I think the four walls used to bore me but I actually found it therapeutic.

“I wasn’t expecting to win on Sunday. I was worried about drowning in the lake because it was the first time I’ve swam in a wetsuit.

“But I came out of the swim fourth and got the job done with the bike and the run. I did it all with a smile on my face.

“I’ll still do duathlon but I don’t think I’ll be doing this year’s worlds because they’re in Adelaide (in Australia). The hill climb season starts soon so I want to just enjoy myself on my bike.

“I am aiming to try and get to the World Age Groups in triathlon though – I’ll have three chances to get there next year.”