THE golden man of Paratriathlon has done it again.

Andy Lewis claimed gold in the sport’s World Championship in Rotterdam on Saturday.

But the Whitecroft Paralympic and British champion says this race was one of his hardest yet after having to overcome the recent cycling accident that could have cost him his sporting career.

Lewis finished the PTS2 event in a time of 1.09.55, over a minute ahead of second-placed Mark Barr of the USA in 1.11.09.

He completed the 750m swim section in 11.34, before tackling 19.4km of cycling in 35.32.

Lewis completed then ran in the home stretch in a time of 18.46, with his times on the bike and on foot making up for a 35 second gap Barr opened up on the swim.

“The race for me was possibly one of the hardest yet due to my recent accident,” he said.

“The swim was very cold and slightly long; the bike was very wet under wheels and dangerous in the corners.”

Lewis was delighted to regain his crown as the best in the world and even more so to do it with the support of fellow Forester Victoria Baker.

“I really wanted to regain my title and to be able to have another Forest of Dean athlete cheering me on was brilliant,” he added.

Baker, from Lydney, came second in the triathlon grand final for the 30-34 Female AG category, finishing as one of three Brits on the podium.

Her time of 2.11.12 was two and a half minutes behind winner Michelle Willcocks but a minute and a half ahead of countryman Jazmin Rogers.

Baker recorded the second fastest swim time in 21.13, but fell away in the cycling and running portions.